Ask a Pol drugs

AOC: Marijuana rescheduling reduces one harm — but “doesn’t quite make all of the wrongs right”

Who? Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) LISTEN: Laslo & AOC This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

"He was poorly advised," Sen. Ted Budd says of President Trump rescheduling marijuana

Who? Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) — Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee; Joint Economic Committee Ask a Pol [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/] asks: You and Sen. James Lankford have a new bill to block DOJ from implementing Trump’s marijuana rescheduling — why is that important to you? Key Budd: “The president was given bad information. I think the president thought he was making a good decision. And I support the president on the vast majority of his policies, but I think he was poorly advised,” Sen. Budd exclusively tells Ask a Pol [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/]. Caught our ear: “I don’t think anything pro marijuana will age well. I mean, it’s harming our children. So let’s leave it scheduled as is,” Budd tells us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris didn't think Trump would reschedule cannabis — until the president did

Ask a Pol [https://www.askapol.com/] ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next [https://www.askapol.com/]? Who? Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, House Freedom Caucus Date: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 — eve of President Donald Trump dropping cannabis — or “marijuana,” as Harris calls it — from Schedule I to Schedule III. Ask a Pol asks: What do you make of reports Trump plans to reschedule marijuana? Key Harris: “I suspect some more reasonable minds may be prevailing over at the White House,” Rep. Andy Harris tells Ask a Pol Drugs, when asked about Trump’s reported plan to reschedule cannabis. About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest.  Find us on social media: Substack [https://askapoldrugs.com/] X [https://x.com/AskaPol_drugs] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0vcQnOAD1pEkfQrzCaPQOq] Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-pol-drugs/id1771220044] Don’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics [https://www.askapolpolitics.com/]. Ask a Pol crypto [https://www.askapolcrypto.com/].  Ask a Pol drugs [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/].  Ask a Pol ai [https://www.askapolai.com/].  Ask a Pol uaps [https://www.askapoluaps.com/].  Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo [https://x.com/MattLaslo] on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

AOC dares Speaker Johnson to block Trump on cannabis rescheduling: "I don’t think that’s going to pass, though”

Who? Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) Ask a Pol asks: We’re hearing President Trump’s going to change cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III via executive order. Wondering why Biden didn’t move on this? Key AOC: “I’ve always been saying this from the beginning. It’s such a no-brainer, and I’ve honestly felt that it’s been a race,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exclusively tells Ask a Pol Drugs. “Of course I’m supportive of that move.” Subscribe for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE already, fam! Caught our ear: “Speaker Johnson doesn’t have the pen on executive orders,” Ocasio-Cortez tells us. “So if he wants to try to pass some legislation and whip his entire Republican caucus into doing that, I mean, that’s well within his power and his right. I don’t think that’s going to pass, though.” TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (12-12-2025) SCENE: Just off the floor of the US House of Representatives, a gaggle of congressional reporters huddle around AOC, firing away with questions ranging from skyrocketing health care premiums to the 2026 midterm elections. Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo [https://www.mattlaslo.com/] slides in the back of his colleagues, waits and listens for a bit until the other journalists move on. Once AOC answers their last questions and her staffers start to move her towards an elevator, Laslo — who was (half)jokingly referred to as The Squad Correspondent at VICE News [https://www.vice.com/en/contributor/matt-laslo/] — slides in with an irresistible question for the Bronx progressive… Matt Laslo: “We’re hearing President [Donald] Trump is going to change cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III via executive order. How disappointed are you [fmr. President Joe] Biden didn’t move on this?” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “I mean, I’ve always been saying this from the beginning. I’ve been saying that this is — it’s such a no-brainer. And I’ve honestly felt that it’s been a race to whoever — I mean, it just feels, it’s inevitable. So, of course I’m supportive of that move.” ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo [https://www.lightscamerasmemes.com/p/matt-laslos-cv-journalist-lecturer]’s wire service, The LCB [https://www.thelcb.com/about], first sold this interview to sister cannabis outlet, Marijuana Moment [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/bipartisan-congressional-lawmakers-give-mixed-reactions-to-marijuana-rescheduling-news-from-trump-administration/] Laslo: “And we’re also hearing Speaker [Mike] Johnson is opposing it.” AOC: “Yeah?” Laslo: “So…” AOC: “Well, Speaker Johnson doesn’t have the pen on executive orders.” Laslo: “Yeah?” AOC: “So if he wants to try to pass some legislation and whip his entire Republican caucus into doing that, I mean, that’s well within his power and his right. I don’t think that’s going to pass, though.” Laslo: “Yeah? Right? Thank you, ma’am.” AI Disclosure: Ask a Pol‘s playing around with as many new AI tools as we can, so this small, unfunded startup can compete in today’s new media landscape. Tips welcome. 100% anonymity This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

"Desperate mistruths" — Andy Harris dismisses fears THC hemp ban will kill industry

Visit Ask a Pol [https://www.askapol.com/] ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know [https://www.askapol.com/]! Who? Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, Freedom Caucus Black Friday Blowout: Limited-time SALE — subscribe today! Help a struggling startup out. Please, fam. Ask a Pol asks: Do you think the train’s already left the station on hemp? Key Harris: “Federal law supersedes state laws on scheduled substances,” Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “We are going to limit an otherwise unregulated industry that sells intoxicants to children.” About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest.  Find us on social media: Substack [https://askapoldrugs.com/]X [https://x.com/AskaPol_drugs]Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0vcQnOAD1pEkfQrzCaPQOq]Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-pol-drugs/id1771220044]Don’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics [https://www.askapolpolitics.com/].Ask a Pol crypto [https://www.askapolcrypto.com/]. Ask a Pol drugs [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/]. Ask a Pol ai [https://www.askapolai.com/]. Ask a Pol uaps [https://www.askapoluaps.com/]. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo [https://x.com/MattLaslo] on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe [https://www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]