If Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) desires to save cash, he ought to inform federal legislation enforcement to halt marijuana seizures and raids in states with regulated hashish markets.
That’s one of many cost-cutting measures floated by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in a Jan. 23 letter to Musk, who was chosen by President Donald Trump to co-lead the nascent DOGE with Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy has since left the DOGE as he considers a run to grow to be governor of Ohio.
Musk, the wealthiest particular person on the planet, wields vital clout within the Trump administration, the place he’s in command of an effort to slash as a lot as $2 trillion in authorities spending within the identify of “effectivity.”
If Musk is severe about chopping prices, Warren wrote, he ought to advocate a halt to federal marijuana enforcement actions in state-regulated markets.
“America may save tons of of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} annually by lowering wasteful spending on pointless federal enforcement actions and detention,” wrote Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who famous that “federal arrests for marijuana possession account for roughly 1 / 4 of all drug possession arrests, regardless that federal sentences for marijuana possession are uncommon.
“These arrests and seizures unnecessarily drain federal sources,” her letter continued, partially.
“DOGE ought to advocate that (the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Safety) preserve sources by deprioritizing pricey arrests and different enforcement actions focusing on marijuana exercise, at the least the place the exercise is authorized within the jurisdiction the place it occurred.”
A current instance consists of the roles Homeland Safety and Customs and Border Safety have performed within the seizure of state-regulated marijuana at inside checkpoints in New Mexico.
Observers hope that Trump’s second time period will imply a contemporary alternative for federal marijuana reform, though these wishes are pinned on the president’s endorsement of a failed marijuana legalization effort in Florida.
Musk as soon as made information by smoking hashish throughout an interview with influential podcaster Joe Rogan, however the billionaire has not concerned himself in marijuana reform efforts.
It’s unclear whether or not Musk will heed Warren’s request; in reality, Musk ignored a December missive from the progressive lawmaker, her letter famous.
