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Hendersonville – U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) on Friday introduced the Stop Pot Act to withhold certain federal funding from states and tribes that permit the use of recreational marijuana.
The Stop Pot Act will withhold 10 percent of federal highway funds for governments that violate federal law under the Controlled Substances Act, which prohibits recreational marijuana and classifies it as a Schedule I drug, according to a release. This legislation does not apply to jurisdictions that authorize medical use of marijuana when prescribed by a licensed medical professional.
“The laws of any government should not infringe on the overall laws of our nation, and federal funds should not be awarded to jurisdictions that willfully ignore federal law,” Edwards said in the release. “During a time when our communities are seeing unprecedented crime, drug addiction, and mental illness, the Stop Pot Act will help prevent even greater access to drugs and ease the strain placed on our local law enforcement and mental health professionals who are already stretched thin.”
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will vote Thursday on whether to legalize the sale and use of recreational marijuana on tribal lands. The release says that if the EBCI’s referendum passes, the Qualla Boundary will be the only place in North Carolina to buy marijuana legally for recreational use.
Edwards wrote a letter to Carolina Journal on his plan that has been criticized by officials, including Swain County Democratic Party leadership. Chief Richard Sneed responded to them.
“Thank you for your words of support and understanding of the Tribe’s sovereignty and the Trust Responsibility of the United States government to Federally recognized Indian tribes,” Sneed wrote in an email. “In my estimation, Rep. Edwards has overstepped his authority and has made a major political blunder as a Federal Representative; a non-Indian, elected official telling a sovereign tribal nation how they ought to do handle their business.”
The Stop Pot Act is endorsed by Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action and the Christian Action League.
“Today’s marijuana isn’t Woodstock weed,” SAM Action President and CEO Kevin Sabet said. “It is a highly engineered drug that’s often wrapped in kid-friendly packaging, with potencies of up to 99 percent. The legalization movement has worsened America’s mental health and addiction crisis.
“Federal law is clear – sales of marijuana and THC drugs are illegal. Congressman Edwards’ Stop Pot Act holds states accountable for violating federal law and undermining the authority of the FDA and the DEA. … By following the model used to raise the legal drinking age to 21 and making highway funding conditional upon responsible marijuana policy, this bill will improve roadway safety. That’s good news for everyone.”
Details: edwards.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/edwards.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/edwanc_041_xml.pdf