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.”
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Caught our ear:
“Before we circulate a letter to the administration, we’re trying to gauge interest,” Omar says.
Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), slightly edited for clarity.
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.”
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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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