Who?

Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) — Small Business & Entrepreneurship and Joint Economic Committees

LISTEN: Laslo & Budd

Ask a Pol asks:

You and Sen. James Lankford have a new marijuana bill — post-rescheduling by President Donald Trump — that blocks the Department of Justice from relaxing the federal prohibition on cannabis that was ordered via Executive Order?

Key Budd:

“Correct. It’s a bad idea. I think it’s bad policy,” Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) exclusively tells Ask a Pol Drugs. “And it’s not good for workforce. It’s not good for economic growth.”

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Caught our ear:

“The president was given bad information. 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,” Budd tells us.

Have you conveyed that to the Justice Department and Attorney General Pam Bondi?

“Yeah, I have,” Budd says. “I’ve conveyed it directly to the President.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Ted Budd (2-5-2026)

SCENE: Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo hops a crowded elevator with Sen. Tedd Budd and an aide in the US Capitol.

Matt Laslo
You and [Sen. James] Lankford, your new bill on marijuana — post-rescheduling by [President Donald] Trump…

Sen. Ted Budd
Okay.

Laslo
…you don’t want DOJ to implement the rescheduling — according to the bill?

Budd
Correct. Yeah.

Laslo
Why is that important?

Budd
Because I think it’s a bad idea.

Laslo
Yeah?

Budd
I think it’s bad policy.

Laslo
Yeah?

Aide
We’re going down.

Budd
And it’s not good for workforce. It’s not good for economic growth.

Laslo
One argument administration folks say is this opens it up for more testing.

Budd
No, that’s a misnomer. You don’t need to change the scheduling in order to do the testing. What they’re trying to do is end-run the process. If they want to test it through regular FDA means, then please proceed. But they’re trying to skip that. I just don’t think that’s a good idea. The president was given bad information. I think he…

Laslo
Huh.

Budd
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.

Laslo
Have you conveyed that to DOJ [Department of Justice]?

Budd
Yeah, I have. I’ve conveyed it directly to the president.

Laslo
Oh, yeah?

Budd
Unfortunately, we disagreed on it.

Laslo
But it seems like because DOJ hasn’t laid out the final rule…

Budd
Look, 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.

Laslo
Yeah?

Budd
And then you can still test. Look, we’re still testing opioids. They’re still, you know, they’re still testing heroin. All these things that are Schedule I. Let’s leave it as is and test it.

Laslo
Yeah?

Budd
Pretty clear?

Laslo
Yeah.

Aide
Name and outlet?

Laslo
Matt Laslo. One of my clients is Marijuana Moment. I have a wire service (www.TheLCB.com), so it’ll show up there.

Budd
Sure. They’re gonna love it!

Laslo laughs.

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Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s covered drug policy for Playboy, Rolling Stone, VICE News Tonight, Daily Beast, VICE News, etc. He’s also a new media Lecturer & the founder of the interactive political journalism startup, Ask a Pol.

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. generative AI isn’t tomorrow’s tech — it’s yesterday’s...

Who?

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, House Freedom Caucus

LISTEN: Laslo & Harris

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 the president saying “yes” to cannabis?

Key Harris:

“I suspect some more reasonable minds may be prevailing over at the White House,” Rep. Andy Harris told Ask a Pol Drugs Wednesday when asked about Trump’s plan to reschedule cannabis Thursday.

You don’t think the ship’s left?

“No,” Harris said. “Oh, no.”

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Caught our ear:

“You mean “marijuana” right?” Harris asked. “Cause “cannabis” is a very inaccurate…”

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Andy Harris (12-17-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol‘s Matt Laslo just finished an interview in the basement of the US Capitol when Rep. Andy Harris and an aide approach before hopping an elevator with Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Ilhan Omar and other members scurrying up to vote on the House floor…

Matt Laslo: “Hey, what do you hear of this…”

Andy Harris: “Say no to blow.”*

*Harris regularly brings cocaine up to www.AskaPolDrugs.com founder Matt Laslo.

Laslo: “What do you…?”

Laslo chuckles; Harris aide laughs.

Aide: “You, he, he…”

Laslo: “What do you make of the president saying “yes” to cannabis?”

Harris: “Say that again, what?”

Laslo: “What do you make of Trump — supposedly he’s going to reschedule…?”

Harris: “You mean “marijuana” right?”

Laslo: “Yeah, yeah.”

Harris: “Okay. Cause “cannabis” is a very inaccurate…”

Laslo: “Fair, fair, fair.”

Harris: “…very non-precise term.”

Laslo: “It covers it all.”

Harris: “Well, you know, hasn’t happened yet. It’s been rumored for several days.”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Harris: “I suspect some more reasonable minds may be prevailing over at the White House.”

Laslo: “Interesting. You don’t think the ship’s left?”

Harris: “No. Oh, no.”

Laslo: “What do you make — I guess...”

Harris: “I mean — you read the same thing I did — they said it was going to be like Friday night at 4:00 or something like that.”

Laslo: “You haven’t heard why the holdup?”

Harris: “I can imagine it’s not unanimously supported.”

Harris and his aide enter basement elevator crowded with other Members on their way to vote on the 2nd floor.

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Laslo greets another member.

Laslo: “Hey, how are you?”

Laslo spots Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Ilhan Omar walking up at back of line…

Laslo: “Miss Omar…”

Ilhan Omar: “What?”

Laslo: “Have a second?”

Omar: “I don’t.”

Omar enters crowded elevator.

Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s covered drug policy for Playboy, Rolling Stone, VICE News Tonight, Daily Beast, VICE News, etc. He’s also a new media prof. & the founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.

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.

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Who?

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

LISTEN: Laslo & AOC

Ask a Pol asks:

We’re hearing President Donald Trump’s going to change cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III via executive order — wondering how disappointed you are fmr. President Joe Biden didn’t move on this when your party had the chance?

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.”

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.”

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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 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 — slides in with an irresistible question for the Bronx progressive…

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Matt Laslo: “We’re hearing President Trump’s going to change cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III via executive order. Wondering how disappointed are you 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’s wire service, The LCB, first sold this interview to sister cannabis outlet, Marijuana Moment

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.”

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Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s covered drug policy for Playboy, Rolling Stone, VICE News Tonight, Daily Beast, VICE News, etc. He’s also a new media Lecturer & the founder of the interactive political journalism startup, Ask a Pol.

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.

Who?

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, Freedom Caucus

LISTEN: Laslo & Harris

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.”

ICYMI — Ask a Pol Cannabis Caucus Co-chair exclusive

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Caught our ear:

“Those are desperate mistruths from an industry that stands to lose billions of dollars by selling intoxicants to children,” Harris tells us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Andy Harris (11-18-2025)

SCENE: Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris is taking an underground tunnel to the US Capitol when Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo sees him and proceeds to walk him to a bank of elevators underneath the floor of the US House of Representatives.

Andy Harris: “Say ‘no’ to blow!”

Laslo laughs.

Matt Laslo: “You all just said no to hemp.”

AH: “You’re darn right.”

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ML: “I just talked to a Co-chair of the Cannabis Caucus over here…”

AH: “Yeah?”

ML: “…who said they’re trying to get a letter together to try to combat — or to give more leeway — for states in this. Do you think the train’s already left the station?”

AH: “Federal law — uh, what’s the legal term? — supersedes state laws on scheduled substances.”

ML: “So you’re not worried?”

AH: “No.”

ML: “Like you guys already won the big battle or even the war?”

AH: “Yeah. We are going to limit an otherwise unregulated industry that sells intoxicants to children.”

ML: “What do you make of the fear that this is going to kill the US hemp industry altogether?”

Harris’ elevator arrives. As he starts to enter, he turns and holds it open to finish his answer.

AH: “Those are desperate mistruths from an industry that stands to lose billions of dollars by selling intoxicants to children.”

ML: “Yeah? Thank you, sir.”

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.

Who?

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis Caucus

LISTEN: Laslo & Omar

Ask a Pol asks:

Now that the federal government’s re-opened and Speaker Mike Johnson gaveled the US House of Representatives back into session, has there been any chatter of the broadly bipartisan SAFER Banking Act?

Key Omar:

“No. Right now, we’re trying to see if we can get exemptions for states that have already rolled out their hemp policies,” Rep. Ilhan Omar tells Ask a Pol Drugs. “So much of our economy, it’s already absorbing the hemp industry, and it’s just going to be a tragedy for the industries that already exist in states like Minnesota.”

Caught our ear:

“Before we circulate a letter to the administration, we’re trying to gauge interest,” Omar says.

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Ilhan Omar (11-18-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into the Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Ilhan Omar as she’s making her way to the US Capitol via an underground tunnel.

Matt Laslo: “How are you?”

Ilhan Omar: “I’m good. How are you?”

ML: “Livin’ the dream.”

Omar laughs.

ML: “Any chatter of SAFER Banking or…?”

IO: “No. Right now, we’re trying to see if we can get exemptions for states that have already rolled out their hemp policies.”

ML: “Oh, interesting. What would that look like — just blunt the action of the administration?”

IO: “Yeah. Because, you know, so much of our economy, it’s already absorbing the hemp industry, and it’s just going to be a tragedy for the industries that already exist in states like Minnesota.”

ML: “And how is that?”

IO: “So we’re trying to work with some of our Republican colleagues…”

The congresswoman, Laslo and her aide are navigating a busy space of tourists, lawmakers and reporters as everyone heads to the House floor during a vote.

IO: “…both on the Senate side and on the House side, so...”

ML: “How does that...?”

IO: “…we’re trying to — before we circulate a letter to the administration, we’re trying to gauge interest.”

ML: “Yeah?”

IO: “Yeah.”

ML: “Because it doesn’t feel like that was fully aired?”

Laslo laughs.

IO: “Well, so…”

ML: “So it feels like a lot of states are going to be impacted that…”

IO: “Yeah.”

ML: “…aren’t ready for it.”

IO: “Yeah.”

ML: “Huh.”

IO: “You know, there are a lot of Dems that voted with [US Sen] Rand Paul.”

ML: “Yeah.”

IO: “And I know that there are some Republicans like him on this side of the chamber, so we’ll see if we can get movement in that regard.”

ICYMI — Sound familiar? Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s wire service, The LCB, sold this to Marijuana Moment

ML: “Are you working with Ms. [Rep. Dina] Titus on that? Or [Cannabis Co-chair David] Joyce and [Cannabis Co-chair Brian] Mast or…?”

IO: “Mostly talking with my [Minnesota] delegation.”

ML: “Yeah?”

IO: “Um…”

ML: “Oh, cool.”

IO: “Because if you can move them, then we can try to build a broader coalition.”

ML: “Yeah.”

IO: “Of course, the states that are impacted have to speak up...”

ML: “Yeah?”

IO: “…before the advocates get involved, you know.”

ML: “Well, I’ll be watchin’. Let me know.”

IO: “Alright.'“

ML: “Good to see you, ma’am.”

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Who?

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) — Member, Senate Banking Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Cramer

Ask a Pol asks:

If Trump came out strongly in support of medical marijuana, would that be a game-changer for the Republican Party?

Key Cramer:

“Certainly,” Sen. Kevin Cramer exclusively told Ask a Pol. “It would certainly be the game-changer for the party. And I do think it would be easier to do some of these other things

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psst: Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!

Caught our ear:

It’s felt like cannabis has been a four-letter word all Congress.

“It has been a four-letter word,” Cramer told us. “It changes the conversation for sure.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Kevin Cramer (10-1-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches Sen. Kevin Cramer walking through the US Capitol after he voted on the Senate floor.

Matt Laslo: “You probably didn’t catch this, but [President Donald] Trump on Truth Social sent out like a medical cannabis, like CBD, post.”

Kevin Cramer: “Oh did he, yeah? I know he’s done some of that.”

ML: “If he came out strongly in support of medical marijuana, would that be a game-changer for the party?”

KC: “Certainly. It would certainly be the game-changer for the party, and I do think it would be easier to do some of these other things. Now, the legalization across the board would be a problem, I think.”

ML: “Yeah?”

KC: “But I wouldn’t put anything past him. I’ve often thought about what would be the ramifications within our very diverse base on this topic if he went full-throated.”

ML: “Yeah?”

KC: “Um, so I don’t know. I do think, though, that the increments that we’ve talked about before — whether it’s, you know, simply on the banking side or if it’s something a little more than that on the medical side — he could definitely, he could make a change. No question about it.”

ICYMI — Sound familiar? Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s wire service, The LCB, sold this to Marijuana Moment

ML: “Yeah? Because his DEA still has to do rescheduling that Biden’s administration started.”

KC: “Well, see, that’s the first thing, right? And he’s all about that, as you know. I mean, he has said it. So that what I’m talking about, if he reschedules, that is a big deal.”

ML: “Yeah? So you’re watching for that even though…?”

KC: “Oh, I keep observing it. And, um, you know, you know me, I mean, I’m willing to be — I’m open-minded to some of it.”

ML: “Yeah?”

KC: “I’m — I want to be incremental. I recognize that states are changing the rules already, and that we should probably pay some attention to that. I just, I’m not — on a personal level — comfortable with the rescheduling myself. But you got to be pragmatic about this.”

ML: “Yeah? And all that stuff usually gets debated — like, it’s felt like cannabis has been a four-letter word all Congress.”

KC: “It has been a four-letter word. It has. It changes the conversation for sure.”

What should we ask Congress next?

ML: “Yeah?”

KC: “There’s no question about it.”

ML: “Yeah.”

KC: “And both parties — but what isn’t anymore? Everything now is between the libertarian right and the far left, you know?”

Cramer motions with his hands.

ML: “Yeah.”

KC: “They all meet back here somewhere.”

ML: “That’s the beauty of politics.”

KC: “It is.”

ML: “Good to see you.”

Who?

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)

LISTEN: Laslo & Paul

Ask a Pol asks:

How do you combat the 39 state attorneys general pushing back against hemp, arguing it’s really dangerous?

Key Paul:

“Some of them came back from states that have completely legalized marijuana and they’re going to ban hemp?” Sen. Rand Paul told Ask a Pol. “I mean, it’s just ridiculous.”

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ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo sold this interview to Marijuana Moment through his wire service, The LCB

Caught our ear:

“So they prefer people to use a much higher dose of THC from cannabis than a lower dose hemp product,” Paul told us. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Rand Paul (10-29-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Rand Paul and aides are making their way to the US Capitol via a basement tunnel ahead of a Senate vote.

Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo and other members of congressional press corps interview the Senator until he and his team enter a Senators Only elevator.

Reporter I: “Hi senator, how are you?”

Matt Laslo: “Hey, Senator Paul.”

Reporter I: “I’m wondering, are you still working to resolve the hemp issue on the Ag. bill?”

Rand Paul: “We’re trying to prevent them from killing or eliminating the hemp industry, and we’re still working on the issue.”

ML: “How do you combat the 39 attorney generals (sic) pushing back against it, saying it’s really dangerous?”

RP: “You know, some of them came back from states that have completely legalized marijuana and they’re going to ban hemp?”

Laslo laughs.

RP: “I mean, it’s just ridiculous.”

ML: “Yeah?”

RP: “So they prefer people to use a much higher dose of THC from cannabis than a lower dose hemp product. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Reporter II: “Senator…”

ML: “This is America.”

Reporter II: “…do you have reaction to the China deal…?”

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Who?

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)

LISTEN: Laslo & Daines

Ask a Pol asks:

Do you think whichever way that goes could be the dominoes when it comes to SAFER Banking Act and stuff like that? Like if he green lights cannabis would that wake up a lot of people in your party?

Key Daines:

“I’m not sure, actually,” Sen. Steve Daines exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “Many Senators hold strong opinions, and they keep those opinions separate from SAFE Banking, you know, like me. I’m not a fan of recreational marijuana.”

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ICYMI — Government shutdown’s upended fall schedule

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Caught our ear:

“I definitely support SAFE Banking and taking that cash off the streets and put it into banks,” Daines tells us. “It’s the right thing to do.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Steve Daines (10-16-2025)

SCENE: After voting on the Senate floor, Sen. Steve Daines — one of the quicker walkers on Capitol Hill — is exiting the Capitol on the first floor when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches up with him and proceeds to walk with him until he gets in a staffer’s waiting car.

Matt Laslo: “Are you following potential rescheduling of cannabis at all?”

Steve Daines: “I am not.”

ML: “I guess a few weeks ago we were supposed to maybe hear in a few weeks.”

SD: “No. I have not.”

ML: “Since with Biden, DEA’s been kicking the can.”

SD: “Yeah, no, I have not. What are you hearing?”

Laslo shrugs.

ML: “Any day?”

SD: “Ahh.”

ML: “Do you think whichever way that goes could be the dominoes when it comes to SAFER [Banking Act] and stuff like that? Like if he green lights cannabis would that wake up a lot of people in your party?”

SD: “Well, I don’t — I’m not sure, actually.”

ML: “Interesting.”

SD: “I think many senators hold strong opinions.”

ML: “Yeah?”

SD: “And they keep those opinions separate from SAFE Banking, you know, like me. I’m not a fan of recreational marijuana. As you know, I voted against it in Montana, but it passed.”

ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo sold this interview to Marijuana Moment through his wire service, The LCB

ML: “Yeah.”

SD: “But I definitely support SAFE Banking and taking that cash off the streets and put it into banks. I mean, it’s the right thing to do.”

ML: “And so rescheduling would kind of allow that? Because we have cannabis legal across the US now.”

SD: “Yeah.”

ML: “Do we need it like as a safety issue?”

SD: “Well, I’m going to stay out of it. I’m giving you my own opinion.”

ML: “Yeah?”

SD: “But I’m still solidly behind SAFE Banking alright.”

ML: “There you go. Thank you.”

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What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!

Who?

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) — Member, Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Tillis

Ask a Pol asks:

The Supreme Court’s weighing a handful of 2nd Amendment cases that examine the conflict between states rights to legalize cannabis and the federal prohibition on marijuana — do you have any problem with marijuana users owning firearms?

Key Tillis: 

“Why would I have a problem with that any more than somebody who drinks alcohol?” Sen. Thom Tillis exclusively told Ask a Pol. “There’s a big talk right now, I don’t know if you noticed, about states running afoul of federal law. Now, in some cases, we seem to think that’s a bad thing.”

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Caught our ear:

“I say, ‘guys, we know how the play is going to end,’ so why not come up with a regulatory construct for consumer protection, for child safety, for health,” Tillis told us. “And then do it in a way that requires states to opt in.

“So I’m just thinking about a framework where you have excise taxes, you have money flowing to law enforcement and other agencies and then have the Congress have a simple up or down vote on it.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Thom Tillis (10-

SCENE: Sen. Thom Tillis is about to hop an elevator in the basement of the Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo hops a ride up to the 2nd floor so the Senator can vote on the Senate floor. .

Thom Tillis: “Hey man!”

Matt Laslo: “Random one for you.”

TT: “I like randos.”

ML: “Do you have any problem with marijuana users owning firearms?”

TT: “No more than I have — why would I have a problem with that any more than somebody who drinks alcohol?”

ML: “I mean, we have the Hunter Biden thing — but Supreme Court’s deciding whether to take up a couple cases, because now to buy a firearm, they have to declare federally, ‘I don’t use.’”

TT: “Well, but see, that is — you know what? That really speaks to the whole problem of we’ve got to get out of this mode of — you know, there’s a big talk right now, I don’t know if you noticed, about states running afoul of federal law. Now, in some cases, we seem to think that’s a bad thing.”

ML: “Yeah?”

ICYMI — interview first appeared in Marijuana Moment*

*Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo also runs The LCB — a regionally-focused, national wire service

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TT: “In the case of cannabis, we don’t, but it’s creating this — it’s creating so many gateways for illegal and illicit actors in this space and safety issues.”

ML: “Yeah.”

TT: “We got to act on it.”

ML: “Well — and voters have spoken nationwide.”

TT: “Well, that’s what I mean, I say, ‘guys, we know how the play is going to end,’ so why not come up with a regulatory construct for consumer protection, for child safety, for health and then — and not do it in a way, I mean, do it in a way that requires states to opt in.”

ML: “Yeah?”

TT: “So I’m just thinking about a framework where you have excise taxes, you have money flowing to law enforcement and other agencies, and then have the Congress have a simple up or down vote on it.”

ML: “Yeah? I’ll be watchin.”

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What should we ask Congress next?

Who?

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK)

LISTEN: Laslo & Sullivan

Ask a Pol asks:

Do you have any problem with marijuana users owning or using firearms?

Key Sullivan:

“What now?” Sen. Dan Sullivan exclusively told Ask a Pol.

Because marijuana’s still federally illegal, no marijuana user can legally have a firearm.

“I gotta look into details, but I would be highly skeptical of that,” Sullivan said.

ICYMI — interview first appeared in Marijuana Moment*

*Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo also runs The LCB — a regionally-focused, national wire service

Caught our ear:

“A Second Amendment right can’t be trumped by a statute,” Sullivan told us. “Right? That’s why it’s called a Constitutional right.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Dan Sullivan (10-9-2025)

SCENE: After voting in the US Capitol, Sen. Dan Sullivan’s walking through the basement of the US Capitol when he runs into Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo.

NEW: Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!

They chat cannabis policy as tourists pass and the underground Senate trams whisk lawmakers back and forth between their offices and the Capitol.

Matt Laslo: “Do you have any problem with marijuana users owning firearms? Using firearms?”

Dan Sullivan: “The — what now?”

ML: “Supreme Court, there’s a couple competing cases — guess they’re having a closed-door meeting about it — because you can’t own a firearm.”

DS: “Closed door meeting? Closed door meeting?”

ML: “I think…”

DS: “Where?”

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ML: “At SCOTUS [Supreme Court of the United States] — Justices are just going to decide whether to take the case or not.”

DS: “Is there like a ruling somewhere?”

ML: “There’s a couple challenges — one in Texas — well, because to own a firearm, you have to say on federal forms, ‘I don’t use drugs….’”

DS: “Oh.”

ML: “…because marijuana’s federally [illegal]...”

DS: “Oh.”

ML: “…so no marijuana user can legally have a firearm.”

DS: “Wow. Yeah — I gotta…”

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ML: “What do you make of that?”

DS: “I gotta look into details, but I would be highly skeptical of that.”

ML: “Yeah?”

DS: “Given that marijuana is legal in my state…”

ML: “Yeah.”

DS: “…and my state probably has the most gun owners of any state in the country. It would be…”

ML: “Like, don’t you have to have a rifle to be an Alaskan?”

Laslo laughs (joke flops).

DS: “You don’t have to, but I think the number’s 65% of households in Alaska have a firearm.”

ML: “So if the feds actually enforce what’s on the statute books…”

Laslo laughs.

DS: “I know. Like I said…”

ML: “…a lot of your constituents would lose their Second Amendment rights.”

DS: “Yeah, but a Second Amendment right can’t be trumped by a statute.”

ML: “Yeah? Interesting.”

DS: “Right? That’s why it’s called a Constitutional right.”

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Senate tram pulls up.

ML: “Yup. We’ll see what the Justices do. Interesting…”

Door opens to tram.

DS: “I didn’t know that.”

Sullivan enters tram car.

ML: “Interesting wrinkle is one of the cases, the cannabis user also used cocaine, so I’m like, ‘cocaine and cannabis are pretty different.’”

DS: “Yeah — and that might not be the test case you want.”

ML: “Exactly. Thank you, sir.”

What should we ask your US Senator next?

Who?

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)

LISTEN: Laslo & Slotkin

Ask a Pol asks:

The Supreme Court’s considering a couple cases, so curious your thoughts about marijuana users owning firearms?

Key Slotkin:

“I can tell you I have never thought about it,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin exclusively tells Ask a Pol.

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Caught our ear:

“We have a lot of folks who own firearms and smoke marijuana,” Slotkin tells us.

Which means they’re felons, because they have to lie on federal forms, as it’s currently set up — the Hunter Biden problem.

“Okay,” the Senator replies.

Laslo nervously laughs.

“Well,” Slotkin says, “I can tell you I haven’t thought about it.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (10-9-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s rushing through the US Senate basement, making her way to a bank of elevators that will whisk her to the Senate floor so she can catch the end of a vote.

Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo sees the Senator exit an underground tram and positions himself to be the first reporter she sees (to the chagrin of his colleagues)…

Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you, ma’am?”

Elissa Slotkin: “Hey.”

Reporter: “Hey Senator Slotkin…”

Laslo’s in front and maintains eye contact with the Senator…as the other reporter trails in back of them as they ascend stairs.

ML: “Curious if you have thoughts about marijuana owners — or users owning firearms. The Supreme Court’s considering a couple cases.”

ES: “I can tell you I have never thought about it.”

What should we ask your US Senator next?

ML: “Yeah?”

ES: “We — I thought you were going to ask, Michigan we just, we were paying for our roads, for fixing the damn roads is a marijuana tax.”

ML: “Yeah?”

ES: “I thought you were going to ask me about that. I…”

ML: “But you guys are going to have it with hunters. It’s going to happen, because we’re having challenges in other states’’.”

ES: “We have a lot of folks who own firearms and smoke marijuana.”

ML: “Which means they’re felons, because they have to lie on federal forms, as it’s currently set up. The Hunter Biden problem.”

ES: “Okay.”

Laslo nervously laughs.

ES: “Well, I can tell you I haven’t thought about it.”

ML: “Yeah? Thank you, ma’am.”

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ICYMI — 100 of 100 US Senators on SAFER Banking Act

Who?

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) — Member, Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)

LISTEN: Laslo & Kaine

Ask a Pol asks:

What do you make of President Donald Trump’s orders to strike cartels in the Caribbean? Stateside cartels illegally grow cannabis in some states — so where’s that line?

Key Kaine:

“Well, it’s a line that the president shouldn’t be able to do it unilaterally,” Sen. Tim Kaine exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “If you’re using military action to wipe out boats that you claim are drug trafficking boats, you need congressional authorization to do it.

“The reason that — they believe they have more of an international legal rationale if it’s in international waters. They need both the domestic rationale and international rationale. We’re pressing them on the no domestic rationale...”

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Caught our ear:

“When you bomb you often don’t recover narcotics,” Kaine tells us. “In at least one of the instances, there’s no narcotics recovered. It’s not clear that was what was on the boat. It might have been human traffick.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Tim Kaine (10-7-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo waits in back of Sen. Tim Kaine as he finishes answering a few reporters’ questions in the Senate basement.

Once the Senator finishes the impromptu interviews, Laslo helps him and his aide find an open elevator, which he then proceeds to invite himself onto…

Matt Laslo: “Hey how are you?”

Tim Kaine: “Good.”

M.L.: “Venezuela...”

T.K.: “Ahuh.”

M.L.: “...this AUMF [Authorization for Use of Military Force]...?”

T.K.: “Yeah?”

M.L.: “Is it going to be an AUMF?”

T.K.: “Well, I don’t know. The Republicans might be putting one together. Our War Powers Resolution is about the Caribbean, not about Venezuela.”

M.L.: “Yeah?”

T.K.: “So it’s only about actions in international waters in the Caribbean. If there is an effort to strike in Venezuela, we’ll file a War Powers challenge to that.”

M.L.: “What do you make about just them going after cartels? I mean, here stateside, the cartels are growing cannabis in some states.”

T.K.: “Yeah.”

M.L.: “So where’s that line?”

T.K.: “Well, it’s a line that the president shouldn’t be able to do it unilaterally. It should — I mean, if you’re using military action to wipe out boats that you claim are drug trafficking boats, you need congressional authorization to do it.”

M.L.: “And that law kind of changes at the border? At international waters?”

T.K.: “The reason that — they believe they have more of an international legal rationale if it’s in international waters. They need both the domestic rationale and international rationale. We’re pressing them on the no domestic rationale...”

M.L.: “Yeah.”

T.K.: “..and not so much on the international side, although I think there’s a case to be made on that as well.”

M.L.: “Hmmm.”

T.K.: “What if Mexico, which doesn’t like guns being run into Mexico, sees a boat leaving from San Diego and is in Mexican water, do they just have the ability to just bomb it willy nilly on the say so of President [Claudia] Sheinbaum? If what Donald Trump is saying about his authority is so, then that would be so. There’s got to be some more justification for this.”

M.L.: “Do you guys know that it was fentanyl or cocaine in some of those bombings?”

T.K.: “In — there’s, there are two, three of the four that, yes, we do know, and there’s one that we don’t. And they haven’t produced any evidence that it is.”

M.L.: “Yeah? How worrying is that?”

T.K.: “Tren de Aragua does human trafficking. And they…”

M.L.: “Yeah.”

T.K.: “When you bomb you often don’t recover narcotics. In at least one in the instances, there’s no narcotics recovered. It’s not clear that was what was on the boat. It might have been human traffick.”

M.L.: “Because they — human cargo wouldn’t just be called ‘human’?”

T.K.: “Yeah.”

M.L.: “It would be called…”

T.K.: “Right.”

Kaine nods in agreement (Laslo’s covered the Senator for more than a decade, and it seems they communicate like a married couple…).

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M.L.: “Interesting.”

T.K.: “Yeah, so…”

M.L.: “Preciate ya.”

T.K.: “Yeah.”

Kaine heads over to Democrats’ weekly Caucus lunch.

What should we ask YOUR Senator next?

Who?

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) — Senate Banking, House & Urban Affairs Committee*

*Former lead sponsor Sen. Steve Daines exited the Banking Committee to take a slot on the Foreign Relations Committee, which is when he passed the proverbial torch to Moreno who’s now the lead GOP sponsor of the SAFER Banking Act in the US Senate

LISTEN: Laslo & Moreno

Ask a Pol asks:

This summer you told me the SAFER Banking Act — financial protections for cannabis companies — was maybe going to be in the fall. Any discussions yet?

Key Moreno:

“We’re still seeing what we can do to get it done in Q4. As you know, the Democrats give us a lot of stuff to do,” Sen. Bernie Moreno exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “We have to fund the government, we have to get NDAA across the finish line, we gotta get noms [nominations] done.”

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Caught our ear:

Since we talked last, President Donald Trump came out in favor of rescheduling marijuana…

“Has he? But he hasn’t actually issued the executive order yet, right?” Moreno tells us. “It’s obviously an important domino, is the rescheduling. Certainly there’s a lot of my colleagues that would have that concern if we didn’t do rescheduling. So we’ll look at it, but we have time. We have time.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Bernie Moreno (9-16-2025)

Scene: Last week, before Congress left town for this week’s congressional recess, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches Sen. Bernie Moreno as he’s jetting through the basement of the US Capitol on his way to a floor vote…

Matt Laslo: “How are you, sir?”

Laslo leaves a small gaggle of reporters.

Bernie Moreno: “What’s going on, guys? What’s new and exciting?”

ML: “You told me SAFER Banking was maybe going to be in the fall?”

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BM: “Is that the fall?”

ML: “I think it’s the fall?”

Laslo shrugs.

BM: “The fall officially doesn’t start til September 21st.”

ML: “Oh, fair. But any talk about it or is it…?”

BM: “So we’re still seeing what we can do to get it done in Q4. As you know, the Democrats give us a lot of stuff to do.”

ML: “Yeah?”

BM: “We have to fund the government, we have to get NDAA across the finish line, we gotta get noms [nominations] done.”

ML: “Since we talked last, President Trump came out in favor of rescheduling.”

BM: “Has he?”

ML: “Yeah.”

BM: “But he hasn’t actually issued the executive order yet, right?”

ML: “No. But then someone like Charlie Kirk came out opposed to it a couple weeks ago — so the dynamics are interesting in your party.”

BM: “Yeah. I think it’s obviously an important domino, is the rescheduling.”

ML: “Yeah?”

BM: “Certainly there’s a lot of my colleagues that would have that concern if we didn’t do rescheduling. So we’ll look at it, but we have time. We have time.”

M: “Yeah? I’ll be watchin.”

BM: “Alright.”

Moreno heads to Senate floor to vote.

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Who?

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis Caucus

LISTEN: Laslo & Omar

Ask a Pol asks:

What are you looking for as Minnesota rolls out its first non-tribal recreational cannabis program today (Tuesday; Sept 16th)?

Key Omar:

“Yeah. There's still heavy contention between underserved communities that they're still working through. So I'm hoping that the rollout does include all the voices that are supposed to be benefited from the community initiatives,” Rep. Ilhan Omar exclusively tells Ask a Pol.

With Wisconsin now the only Midwest state without legal recreational cannabis, do you see Minnesota’s marijuana evolution is a positive step forward for the region?

“Yeah it is, and my hope is that when our bill was crafted and debated, we took in all of the lessons learned from Colorado and California,” Omar says. “So I do hope that there will be an excellent rollout that could serve as a model of how to do it right.”

Heads up:

This interview was first sold to Marijuana Moment through Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s wire service, The LCB

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Caught our ear:

Now with President Donald Trump recently kind of, like, supporting rescheduling marijuana, has there been more chatter on cannabis on Capitol Hill?

“There is. It seems like he has made — at least hinted at — de-scheduling,” Omar tells us. “Which is kind of a positive step.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Ilhan Omar (9-16-2025)

SCENE: Rep. Ihan Omar and an aide are taking an underground tunnel to the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo sidles in for a quick cannabis conversation…

Matt Laslo: “How are you, ma'am?”

Ilhan Omar: “Good. How are you?”

ML: “Livin’ the dream.”

IO: “Yeah? How's that kid you didn't know about?”

Laslo laughs.

ML: “Forgot about him already?”

Omar laughs.*

*Inside Omar’s inside joke:

A few years back, when Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo was jokingly dubbed VICE News’ Squad correspondent, after a congressional recess Omar greeted Laslo with a big…

“Congratulations on being a father!”

“Really? News to me. Makes sense tho. Know who the mother is?”

Omar melted with embarrassment, but she continues to joke about her mix up.

ML: “What are you, um, looking for as Minnesota rolls out its first cannabis programs today to non-tribes?”

IO: “Yeah. I mean, there's still, like, heavy contention between underserved communities that they're still working through. So I'm hoping that the rollout does include all the voices that are supposed to be benefited from the community initiatives.”

ML: “Do you see it as a positive, good step forward for the Midwest, just broadly? I think it's just Wisconsin doesn't have legalization now.”

IO: “Yeah it is. I mean, and my hope is that, you know, when our bill was crafted and debated, we took in all of the lessons learned from Colorado and California.”

ML: “Uh-huh?”

IO: “So I do hope that there will be an excellent rollout that could serve as a model of how to do it right.”

ML: “Yeah? And now with Trump kind of like supporting rescheduling, has there been more chatter on cannabis or not really?”

Laslo laughs.

IO: “There is. It seems like he has made — at least hinted at — de-scheduling, which is kind of a positive step.”

ML: “Yeah? Well, because otherwise, like, would you be worried about DEA on the ground in Minnesota? It seems like they're selective with what they enforce.”

IO: “Um, I don't think that there is a serious worry in that regard.”

ML: “Yeah?”

IO: “We've had medicinal use for a really long time, and I think our full legalization should work out pretty well.”

ML: “But now when it comes to, like, no banking access…”

IO: “That's always been the challenge, right?”

ML: “Yeah.”

IO: “I've gotten the opportunity to travel across the country and, like, visit with entrepreneurs, and that's the one thing that they complain about.”

ML: “Yeah?”

IO: “It's a space that we've been trying to legislate.”

Omar an aide arrive at a Members Only elevator overflowing with impatient lawmakers, hence she drops to more of a whisper.

ML: “Yeah, right?”

IO: “Um, so we'll continue to push for that.”

ML: “Yeah? I’ll keep watchin. Preciate ya ma’am.”

Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report.

Let us know what to ask your lawmakers in Washington!

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Who?

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis Caucus

LISTEN: Laslo & Mast

Ask a Pol asks:

Cannabis didn’t come up in this new Congress for the first seven or so months, but then over Congress’ month long August recess, members introduced a rescheduling bill and separately a descheduling measure — what changed?

Key Mast:

“The president spoke very specifically. He said it out loud. He's looking at the consideration of rescheduling cannabis,” Rep. Brian Mast tells Ask a Pol.

Yeah? Now that it's Appropriations (think government funding) season in Washington, do you think we'll be seeing more marijuana amendments?

“Because the president brought it up you'll see movement on it,” Mast says.

Was that kind of a wake-up call for some of your party?

“Entirely,” the Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair says.

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ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo first sold this interview to Marijuana Moment through his wire service, The LCB

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Caught our ear:

“Kellyanne [Conway], very much in [the President’s] circle of people. This is something that she's been moving forward with the administration as well for some time,” Mast tells us. “She's been, I think, of the inner circle there, let's say the biggest champion of it. So I think Kellyanne's making a difference as well.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Brian Mast (9-4-2025)

SCENE: Rep. Brian Mast and a few aides are waiting for the congressman to be picked up and taken to the airport after he cast his last vote of the week. Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches the Cannabis Caucus Co-chair for a quick update on marijuana efforts in the 119th Congress.

NEW: Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!

Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you, Congressman?”

Brian Mast: “Good. How about yourself?”

ML: “Livin’ the dream.”

BM: “Glad to hear it.”

ML: “I saw over recess that some cannabis rescheduling measures were introduced?”

BM: “Ahuh.”

ML: “Have you guys — you still haven't met as a [Cannabis] Caucus or?”

ICYMI — 9 months into new Congress, still no meeting

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BM: “I think even more importantly than that, I mean, the president spoke very specifically.”

ML: “Yeah?”

BM: “I mean, he said it out loud, you know, he's looking at the consideration of rescheduling cannabis.”

ML: “Yeah? And, we're seeing some movement now that it's appropriation season, do you think we're seeing more amendments?”

BM: “I think because the president brought it up, you'll see movement on it.”

ML: “Yeah?”

BM: “Yeah.”

ML: “Was that kind of a wake-up call for some of your party?”

BM: “Entirely.”

ML: “Yeah? Because there hasn't really been any discussion of it.”

BM: “No, not — I mean, there's, for us that work in the Caucus, discussion of it. We've had meetings. We've visited with folks and interest groups and things like that. And bear in mind, you know, so the president has his circle of people…”

ML: “Yeah?”

BM: “And Kellyanne [Conway] is very much in his circle of people. This is something that she's been moving forward with the administration as well for sometimes. She's been, I think, of the inner circle there, you know, let's say the biggest champion of it. So I think Kellyanne's making a difference as well.”

ML: “That's what I heard in the first term, that it was — once [Trump’s fmr. Chief of Staff] Mark Meadows was brought in, that he kind of killed it, but Kellyanne was moving forward on it.”

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BM: “I can’t speak to that piece of it, but I know that Kellyanne's moving it.”

Mast aide: “We do have to get him on a flight pretty soon.”

ML: “So do you — so you don't think we'll see a standalone bill, per se?”

BM: “Couldn't say.”

ML: “Yeah?”

BM: “You're asking me to flip a coin right now.”

ML: “Yeah? Interesting.”

BM: “Thanks.”

ML: “Good to see ya!”

BM: “Take care.”

Let us know what to ask Congress next!

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Who?

Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN)*

*freshman US Senator after serving four terms in the House

LISTEN: Laslo & Banks

Ask a Pol asks:

Do you know where you are on the SAFER Banking Act?

Key Banks:

“I’ll have to check,” Sen. Jim Banks exclusively tells Ask a Pol. ”I’m familiar with it from the House, but I haven't seen the latest iteration of it in the Senate.”

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Caught our ear:

“Gonna hold a response on it until I see the framework,” Banks tells us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Jim Banks (7-29-2025)

SCENE: Before Congress left town for their month long August recess, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo caught Sen. Jim Banks after he voted on the Senate floor and was making his way back to his office across the street via one of the Capitol’s underground tunnels.

Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you, Senator?”

Jim Banks: “How you been?”

ML: “Do you know where you are on the SAFER Banking Act?”

JB: “Uhh, I’ll have to check.”

What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!

ML: “That's that cannabis banking protection one.”

JB: “I’m familiar with it from the House, but I haven't seen the latest iteration of it in the Senate.”

ML: “Yeah? It just hasn't come up?”

JB: “So gonna hold a response on it until I see the framework.”

ML: “Cool.”

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Who?

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND)

LISTEN: Laslo & Hoeven

Ask a Pol asks:

Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s language to ban hemp with “quantifiable” amounts of THC was stripped out of this year’s agriculture spending bill — enabling the bipartisan measure to move forward — but do you think there’s a way to bridge the divide between McConnell and his libertarian-leaning colleague Rand Paul who tells us his goal remains to "fix it so they don’t kill the hemp industry”?

Key Hoeven: 

“There’s a way to do it,” Sen. John Hoeven exclusively told Ask a Pol before the Senate left Washington for their annual August recess. “Between Mitch and Rand, they have different ideas on how you apply the test for hemp and hemp products. They both want a good market for hemp farmers, because that’s a significant crop in Kentucky, which is why I think we’ll get to something.”

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ICYMI — Parts of interview first used by Marijuana Moment

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Caught our ear

“We kept going back and forth. I thought we actually had something figured out, but we didn’t,” Hoeven told us. “But we’ll keep working.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John Hoeven

SCENE: Sen. John Hoeven’s walking through the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches him for a quick hemp interview.

NEW: Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!

Matt Laslo: “How big of a win is it on hemp?”

John Hoeven: “Well, the key is we got the Approps bill to the floor, so we actually have a package teed up now for Milcon-VA, Ag and Criminal Justice-Science [spending bills], so that’s a very significant package of appropriations bills. And key now is, we’ve heard on our side so are the Democrats gonna join us and do regular order. They keep saying, everybody around here saying they want regular order.”

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ML: “Yeah.”

JH: “We’ve set it up. Leader [John] Thune has got the bill to go to the floor, and now we need Democrats to engage with us. So the key is that provision and the other things that we had that work on. We got consent to get the bills to the floor now, so the question is, are the Democrats going to work with us.”

ML: “Yeah?”

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JH: “And everybody says that they want regular order. This is their chance to engage now in the apportions process. They’re complaining about rescissions and everything else. Here’s there chance. Let’s see if they engage and get the job done.”

ML: “Because hemp kinda was calling their bluff, because that was the last hurdle?”

JH: “Yeah. Exactly right. And so, as afar as that provision. We can do some more work, figure something out.”

ML: “Yeah?”

JH: “And a s a matter of fact I talked to Rand [Paul] about that yesterday. He’s gonna go over and talk to GT Thompson — not Thompson, but Approps chair on the House side [Tom Cole]. We’ll keep working on it.”

ML: “Yeah?”

JH: “So that wasn’t — the issue wasn’t one that we. You know, we’ll figure it out. We’ll continue to work on it, that’s great. The key is that it enabled us to go forward on the Approps bill.”

ML: “Yeah?”

JH: “Again, everybody says they want regular order. Now let’s see if the action follows the rhetoric, right?”

ML: “What do you think — some of the hemp, the new regs could be? Short of what McConnell wanted, but…?”

JH: “Oh, well. I think there’s a way to do it. So they have different — between Mitch [McConnell] and Rand [Paul], they have different ideas on how you apply the test for hemp and hemp products. They both want a good market for hemp farmers…”

ML: “Yeah.”

JH: “…because that’s a significant crop in Kentucky, which is why I think we’ll get to something.”

ML: “Yeah?”

JH: “We kept going back and forth. I thought we actually had something figured out, but we didn’t.”

ML: “Yeah?”

JH: “But we’ll keep working.”

ML: “Yeah? I’ll be watching. Thank you sir.”

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Who?

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)

LISTEN: Laslo & Paul

Ask a Pol asks:

Did we hear your hemp language prevailed?

Key Paul:

“We’re hoping to fix it so they don’t kill the hemp industry,” Sen. Rand Paul told Ask a Pol Tuesday before the new agreement was announced. “We think there are gonna be some changes in the bill.”

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Caught our ear:

“Soon,” Paul told us.*

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Rand Paul (7-29-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Rand Paul’s walking through the US Capitol on his way to cast a vote on the Senate floor when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches him for a quick update on his efforts to protect the US hemp industry.

Matt Laslo: “Hey sir, did we hear your hemp language prevailed?”

Rand Paul: “We’re hoping to fix it so they don’t kill the hemp industry, and we think they’re are gonna be some changesin the bill.”

ML: “When do you think you’ll find out?”

Paul turns his back on Laslo as he walks towards Senate floor, so he’s off mic.

RP: “Soon.”

ML: “‘Soon’? Thank you.”*

*When a lawmaker’s off mic, Laslo always repeats what he hears into his mic.

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What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!

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Who?

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis Caucus

LISTEN: Laslo & Titus

Ask a Pol asks:

Have you had any conversations about SAFER Banking Act this Congress?

Key Titus:

“No, just general ones,” Rep. Dina Titus exclusively tells Aska Pol Drugs. “Nothing that’s very specific…”

Caught our ear:

“I’ve got to go vote,” Titus tells us.

NEW: Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Dina Titus (7-22-2025)

SCENE: Rep. Dina Titus is running late to one of the last votes in the House before the chamber gaveled out of session for an extended monthlong August recess.

Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo rushes to snag this briefest of interviews as Titus jets past the Capitol Police security checkpoint on her way to the House floor.

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Matt Laslo: “Have you had any conversations about SAFER Banking Act this Congress?”

Dina Titus: “No, just general ones. Nothing that’s very specific…”

ML: “Do you think we’ll…”

DT: “I’ve got to go vote.”

Titus pulls open heavy Carriage Entrance door to House of Representatives.

ML: “Do you think we’ll see it in the fall?”

DT: “I hope so…”

Titus passes security checkpoint, leaving Laslo alone outside.

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Logan Johnson contributed to this report.

Let us know what to ask next — we’re all ears!

Who?

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) — Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Wyden

Ask a Pol asks:

What do you make of these efforts to changes to the definition of hemp?

Key Wyden:

“Our bill…is the most balanced bill to accommodate all the hemp interests,” Sen. Ron Wyden exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “What we want to do is have a balanced approach that moves as much product in a safe way, respects the safety concerns of families and that's why we spent all this time on it.”

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Caught our ear:

“We need a regulatory regime,” Wyden tells us, “but you gotta have something that is a framework, and that's what our bill is.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Ron Wyden (7-17-2025)

SCENE: After voting on the Senate floor, Sen. Ron Wyden’s waiting for one of the Senate’s underground trams when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo snags him for this quick update on his hemp measure with Oregon’s other Democratic US Senator, Jeff Merkley.

PSA: Wyden’s Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act

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Matt Laslo: “Look at this young man.”

Sen. Wyden smiles.

ML: “What do you make of these changes to the hemp definition?”

ICYMI — House Repubs fighting to upend hemp industry

Ron Wyden: “I think that our bill — and you’ve run and looked at it?”

ML: “Yeah.”

RW: “…is the most balanced bill to accommodate all the hemp interests.”

ML: “Yeah? Is it important to get that stuff off the shelves? Is this going to do that? Cause there’s still fear it's going to upend the industry.”

RW: “Yeah, what we want to do is have a balanced approach that moves as much product in a safe way, respects the safety concerns of families and that's why we spent all this time on it.”

ML: “Doesn't this really show why we need a regulatory regime for recreational — just for cannabis?”

RW: “We need a regulatory regime, but you gotta have something that is a framework, and that's what our bill is.”

ML: “There you go.”

RW: “Alright.”

ML: “Preciate ya!”

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