Indopedia All Things Marijuana
If past is prologue, prohibitionists within the GOP are terminally screwed come November.
At least that appears to be the take away after Democrat Conor Lamb – a pro-medical marijuana candidate – defeated the GOP’s Rick Siccone on Tuesday.
From deep in the heart of Trump country – Tuesday’s special congressional election for Pennsylvania’s 18th district demonstrated two things to the nation: 1.) Support for medicinal cannabis is a winning issue. 2.) Those candidates who reject marijuana reform and embrace Trump are politically doomed.
Lamb’s victory, in a district that chose Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton by 20 percentage points in 2016, has unleashed nervous indignation and outrage within the GOP.
“We should be able to elect a box of hammers in this district. If we’re losing here, you can bet there is a Democratic wave coming,” said veteran Republican consultant Mike Murphy
OH YEAH… IT’S COMING !https://t.co/QrF7dGGfeu
— WiseMagic (@RockinHits) March 15, 2018
While republican policy whisperer Mike Murphy thinks there is a “Democratic wave” on the horizon, Rick Saccone observed firsthand, the wave was as much about green as it was blue.
Interesting side fight in #PA18:
Conor Lamb supports medical marijuana
Rick Saccone opposes it / voted against it in the state house.Quinnipiac polled this in Pennsylvania in 2015: It was *90-9* in favor.
Medical marijuana 91-6 nationally in January Q-poll.
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) March 14, 2018
Marijuana, medicinal or otherwise, is a political winner in the world of Pennsylvania politics.
In 2016, as advocates of legalization were staking out various positions on both sides of the political aisle, residents of the Keystone State gave “a big thumbs up to small amounts of marijuana in the hands of adults,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
Saccone, an ardent supporter of President Trump, voted against Pennsylvania’s Senate Bill 3 (medical marijuana legislation) in the House of Representatives, while Lamb has consistently spoken out in support of the medicinal herb.
Rick Saccone voted no on medical marijuana for Pennsylvania and reaffirms that stand. Would deny children who are benefiting from medical marijuana. #PA18
Lamb- fine with a well regulated medical marijuana program in Pennsylvania pic.twitter.com/nWpWwW1PBu— . (@hilltop613) February 20, 2018
In a political contest decided by roughly 627 votes – the lesson from Tuesday’s special election is relatively evident and easy to grasp, even for a dogmatic politician. In 2018, there will be a political cost for opposing medicinal cannabis and getting caught on the wrong side of history.
