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Sen. Ernst: "not in favor of legalized marijuana," reviewing SAFER Banking
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Sen. Ernst: "not in favor of legalized marijuana," reviewing SAFER Banking

Ep. 82 — Sen. Joni Ernst: Ask a Pol's 82nd of 100 exclusive marijuana banking interviews with each US senator (6-5-2024)
Sen. Joni Ernst speaks during a weekly Republican leadership press conference. Photo: Matt Laslo

Who?

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)

LISTEN: Laslo & Ernst (6-5-2024)

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Ask a Pol asks:

What is your position on the SAFER Banking Act?

Key Ernst: 

“Not really in favor,” Sen. Joni Ernst exclusively told Ask a Pol. “So I’d have to sit down and sort through it … so many groups have come and spoken to me about it.”

Caught our ear:

“But I do not want to encourage [use],” Ernst told us. “I am not in favor of legalized marijuana, so I just think that just provides an easier avenue.”

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ICYMI — Some recreational pot opponents support SAFER Banking Act

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Below find two rough transcripts of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interviews with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), slightly edited for clarity.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Joni Ernst (6-5-2024)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo greets Sen. Joni Ernst after she exits the tram underneath the US Capitol as she heads to the floor of the US Senate.

Matt Laslo: “How are you? Do you know where you are on SAFER Banking?”

Joni Ernst: “It’s the marijuana bill?”

ML: “Yeah.”

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JE: “Not really in favor.”

Sen. Ernst laughs.

ML: “Yeah?” 

JE: “I’d have to sit down and sort through it. I know that there are so many — so many groups have come and spoken to me about it, but…”

ML: “Mostly opposed? Or Bankers Association?”

JE: “No. There’s bankers that are for it. But I do not want to encourage — I am not in favor of legalized marijuana, so I just think that just provides an easier avenue.”

Ernst looks to the Senate elevator attendant.

JE: “Right, Timothy?”

Timothy laughs.

Timothy: “Yeah.”

JE: “Yeah. Thank you.”

ML: “Yep. Thank you, ma’am.”

Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen contributed to this report.

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