The Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee meeting gets underway in Baton Rouge at 11 AM, with a range of groups discussing a potential legalization effort. The task force was created after a robust legalization effort in the Legislature earlier this year was ultimately beat back by law enforcement.
Law enforcement agencies, DAs, lawmakers, and other factions will survey data from states that have already approved legalization. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, a Republican, is on the committee. He sponsored the legalization effort earlier this year and told WWL’s Dave Cohen that it’s frustrating we’re sitting around debating this, instead of just doing it.
“Generally any time you see a task force or a commission from the Legislature it’s really just kicking the can down the road on tough decisions,” said Nelson.
Nelson said 18 other states and DC have approved legalization so far. If Louisiana doesn’t do so soon, he warns we’ll end up buying product from California instead of growing in the state.
“One of the most frustrating things for me in the Legislature is called the Rule of 48,” said Nelson. “It’s that 48 other states have to do something before Louisiana decides it is a good idea.”
Law enforcement groups opposed legalization, saying marijuana is a gateway drug and legalization would lead to more crime and marijuana use among minors.
