Who?
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) — running for governor of Florida
LISTEN: Laslo & Donalds
Ask a Pol asks:
It almost feels like cannabis is a four letter word in this Congress, no one's talking about it, you know?
Key Donalds:
Donalds laughs.
“I mean, but if SAFE Banking actually ends up getting to the floor in the House, we passed it the last Congress and the Congress before,” Rep. Byron Donalds tells Ask a Pol. “We’ve done it, but the Senate always pulls it out.”
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Caught our ear:
It’s a non issue except where it’s an issue.
“Welcome to Capitol Hill,” Donalds tells us.
Below, you’ll find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), slightly edited for clarity.
TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Byron Donalds (5-1-2024)
SCENE: At the end of April, the week of the National Cannabis Policy Summit, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo walks with Rep. Byron Donalds as he strolls across the Capitol grounds before crossing the street back to his office.
Matt Laslo: “Cannabis folks knocking on your door this week?”
Byron Donalds: “No.”
ML: “I moderated a panel for their Hill crawl.”*
*ie, National Cannabis Policy Summit
ML: “Where are you on it? Like? Have you looked at SAFER Banking Act?”
BD: “Oh, I've been supportive of SAFE Banking for a long time.”
ML: “Yeah?”
BD: “It just makes sense. That's probably why they didn't come see me. They already know where I stand on it.”
ML: “Yeah.”
BD: “Saved some time, but I’ve always supported it. It just makes sense. I mean we have how many states who have legalized or allow medicinal?”
ML: “But that's the interesting thing this Congress, it almost feels like cannabis is a four letter word. No one's talking about it, you know?”
Donalds laughs.
BD: “I mean, but if SAFE Banking actually ends up getting to the floor in the House, we passed it the last Congress and the Congress before.”
ML: “And I think it's usually like an amendment.”
BD: “Yeah, it’s usually like an amendment.”
Let us know what to ask next!
ML: “Well, no, you guys did, yeah.”
BD: “We’ve done it, but the Senate always pulls it out. Is it [Sen. Chuck] Grassley (R-IA) who keeps pulling it out? Is that what I heard?”
ML: “Well, [former GOP Leader Mitch] McConnell, I think. In the background. I think him and [Sen.] Tom Cotton.”
BD: “I mean, look, at this point we cant have an industry that is legal in the states not being able to be bankable. That just doesn't make any sense to me.”
ML: “Right? It’s a public hazard to have all cash businesses. But you haven't really heard it come up?”
BD: “No, it will probably just be another amendment, and we’ll build it up again.”
ML: “That’s the thing. It’s a non issue except where it’s an issue.”
BD: “Welcome to Capitol Hill.”
ML: “There you go. Have a good one.”
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