Cannabis Policy: Marijuana & Hemp

I support full federal de-scheduling of cannabis.

Criminalization has failed. Patchwork legality creates confusion, banking and transportation barriers, inconsistent enforcement, and unnecessary stigma. 

Rescheduling is in process, but when fully implemented, it will only succeed in turning control of the plant over to powerful corporate pharmaceutical interests. 

More importantly, rescheduling combined with the recently passed federal cannabinoid hemp ban will create a host of new problems related to access, reliability, and safety. 

I oppose recent legislation that will effectively cripple the hemp industry.  Growing hemp for cannabinoids has revolutionized cannabinoid use and access for Americans across this country. 

I support common sense oversight including 21+ access, purity and potency testing, and proper labeling.  

The United States should not destroy a domestic agricultural supply chain that supports farmers, small business, and expands both rural and municipal economic development.

The positive impact of legalized hemp grown for cannabinoid extraction is not theoretical - it’s proven and wide reaching. 

Child and consumer safety calls regarding cannabinoid infused products are false flags forwarded by entrenched economic interests — those calls are not focused on the health and wellbeing of the American people.

My Federal Focus

• Support full cannabis descheduling
• Overturn the federal hemp ban
• Work to include Farm Bill investment in hemp fiber processing and infrastructure
• Protect small business, farmers and formulators in the hemp derived cannabinoid space

Marriage Equality & LGBTQ+ Protections

I defend marriage equality. 

My marriage is not theoretical. It is stability, commitment, and family.  No American should lose rights because of the family they choose to build.

I support protecting and preserving LGBTQ+ rights including the right to live one’s whole self openly and honestly. 

Our private lives are seldom private — GLBTQ+ identified persons should not be forced to hide wholesale parts of themselves at work, service, or in civic engagement.

I reject and will actively counter inflammatory rhetoric targeted at the transgender community.  Disagreement is part of democracy. Dehumanization is not.

Reasonable questions and concerns around trans-youth participation in athletics should be resolved thoughtfully at the local level — not elevated into national panic or campaign strategy.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion goals must be upheld and reinforced — not eroded for political gamesmanship. I especially support GLBTQ+ equity in all military and federal government roles.

Fitness to serve and opportunities to contribute should be evaluated on merit and commitment — not sexual or gender identities.

My Federal Focus

• Protect marriage equality
• Safeguard LGBTQ+ military and federal service protections
• Defend equal protection in employment and housing
• Reduce federal escalation of local cultural disputes
• Reject extreme proposals such as abolishing diversity frameworks wholesale

Bottom Line: Rights Matter.  Dignity Matters.  Balance Matters.