Big Marijuana has already taken over Colorado and other states, and now the pot lobby has descended on D.C. in full force.
Their goal is to take that first step toward the federal legalization of marijuana. That first step is the so-called SAFE Banking Act.
Innocuous as it sounds, the SAFE Banking Act would financially legitimize the marijuana industry without regard to the proven public health risks of marijuana use – through vaping in particular. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently issued a warning against e-cigarettes containing THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. This warning came as the death toll from vaping-caused lung disease reached 15 – with more than 800 Americans having confirmed cases of the illness, 70 percent of which are related to vaping THC.
Now is NOT the time to prop up a dangerous industry through massive financial investment. And it’s NEVER the time to grant government-approved money laundering. (Despite some state laws, marijuana is still illegal under federal law!)
This legislation is the antithesis of “SAFE.” That’s why your action is needed to ensure the so-called SAFE Banking Act is defeated in the Senate!
Sen. McConnell has the power to stop this bill – or to let it move forward. Please email Sen. McConnell and respectfully request that he actively oppose the SAFE Banking Act (S. 1200). You can send the message in just a few moments on our Action Center. (Your message will also be sent to Sen. Paul.)
Please also call Sen. McConnell’s office at (202) 224-2541.
Thanks for speaking up!
This past election proved to be a huge success for conservatives in Kentucky.
Kent Ostrander, executive director of The Family Foundation of Kentucky, one of Family Policy Alliance’s 40 state-based allies, tells us what’s happening after a hundred-year conservative drought.
Find an allied organization in your state.
Even after the surprising results of the 2016 election, the wheels of the federal government continue to grind slowly on family-friendly legislation. But at the state level, significant progress is being made of life, family and religious freedom.
Here’s a roundup of what’s happening in several states with Family Policy Alliance allied groups:
South Dakota – The Family Heritage Alliance worked hard to get a bill passed that protects faith-based adoption agencies from violating their core principles.
SB149 ensures that they are free to continue placing children and making decisions consistent with their deeply held beliefs. It also prevents the government from discriminating against those organizations on the basis of faith.
This week Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed the bill into law.
“This law is consistent with how the state of South Dakota has for decades partnered with private agencies to find homes for children,” said Dale Bartscher, executive director of the Family Heritage Alliance. “It doesn’t restrict anyone from participating in foster care or adoption, but it does preserve for faith-based agencies the freedom to be faithful to their sincerely held convictions while partnering with government agencies in supporting vulnerable children and families in crisis.”
Louisiana – The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted new science standards for schools for the first time in two decades.
Louisiana Family Forum was instrumental in implementing Louisiana Science Education Act of 2008 that empowers teachers and students to practice academic freedom when exploring controversial science subject matter like origins of the earth, human cloning and climate change.
Louisiana Middle School Teacher of the Year Joni Smith testified during the board meeting.
“I made a suggestion for the members of the board to consider attaching the verbiage of the Science Education Act of 2008 along with the new updated science standards,” she said. “A motion to do this was introduced and passed 7-2. Joy filled my soul and this 7th grade Science teacher was smiling from ear to ear.”
Kentucky – Kentucky a conservative-majority House for the first time in nearly a century. Along with a Republican Senate and governor, pro-family legislation is being passed at a record clip.
Already, they’ve passed laws banning abortions after 20 weeks; allowing women to see an ultrasound before making the decision to go through with an abortion; and to cut funding to Planned Parenthood.
In Kentucky schools, children will now be able to express religious viewpoints without fear of retribution, thanks to a law passed this session. The Legislature is also considering creating charter schools and a bill protecting students’ religious liberties and free speech rights.
Even with all this good legislation, The Family Foundation of Kentucky is still hoping for a student privacy act that would protect girls in public schools from having to share bathrooms, locker rooms and changing areas with boys. And, they’re hoping to pass conscience protections for Christian business owners.
Florida – Our own John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, has been appointed to the Constitution Revision Commission. The body is only convened every 20 years to look over the state Constitution and recommend changes that are then voted on by the public. This year, many conservative voices will be part of the Commission.
The Florida Legislature is also considering a Pain Capable Abortion ban, a bill that would help victims of sex trafficking and the Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act that would protect students and staff from discrimination based on religious viewpoints or expression.
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin recently signed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. It effectively bans abortions after five months.
Kent Ostrander, president of our ally, The Family Foundation of Kentucky, said the General Assembly accomplished more for the pro-life cause in five days than it had in the past decade.
Marjorie Dennenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, said Kentucky becomes the 19th state to pass the measure. She says it’s time for the U.S. Congress to make it law.
“As Governor Bevin rightly pointed out, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is popular on both sides of the aisle,” she explained. “Americans are eager to see the U.S. removed from the list of only seven countries to allow abortion on-demand more than halfway through pregnancy.”