U.S. Representative Jared Huffman has been in favor of legalization even before it was politically convenient; Huffman publicly supported ending cannabis prohibition during his time in the California State Assembly before being elected as a U.S. Representative. Nowadays, Huffman’s congressional district includes the Emerald Triangle – the largest cannabis-producing region in the United States. Huffman notes the special burdens placed on small business owners in the industry, including the hesitance and inaction California has seen at the local level. Although federal legalization may take time, Huffman says, there are plenty of incremental reforms that may help us get there sooner.
Seth: US Congressman Jared Huffman joins us. Welcome to Cannabis Economy. I'm your host Seth Adler. Download episodes on Canneconomy.com or wherever you currently get your podcasts. Canneconomy.com. That's two N's and the word economy. Has ton of direct insight from policy makers, scientists, and business leaders in the place. First word from [inaudible 00:00:19] and then US Congressman Jared Huffman. Wanna know with [inaudible 00:00:24]. As far as the cannabis economy global landscape, it really is starting to feel like Colorado in 2009.
Speaker 2: Almost every single day you read an article about a new country that is legalizing or thinking about legalizing. And so we're starting to see some widespread action in Europe, South America, just all over the globe we're really starting to see everybody open themselves up to the positive possibilities with cannabis.
Seth: I simply ... I do this. I mean, you're a lawmaker, right? [crosstalk 00:01:03]. The fact that you have off the cuff, I'm gonna go ahead and promote it right now.
Jared: Thank you.
Seth: This podcast is available where I get podcasts?
Jared: All the places where the great podcasts are, you'll find Off the Cuff with Congressman Jared Huffman.
Seth: I can't wait to listen to it.
Jared: Thank you.
Seth: I cannot wait. But before I do, we should do this interview.
Jared: Yes.
Seth: And so I am fascinated and exited to talk to you. You represent, sir, a district that includes the ...
Jared: Emerald Triangle.
Seth: There we go. And you know, so that's fantastic. But what I really am excited to talk about is the implications of the legislation that we have passed in California on small businesses. So this is kind of what we were hemming and hawing about. We were worried about it. And I know that you've gone out there and checked it out. I'd love to hear your thoughts here. When did you find out, by the way, that the Emerald Triangle was in your district?
Jared: Oh gosh. The Redistricting Commission, that's how we do it in California, they kept these new maps very closely guarded. We, I think, got our first glimpse at them in late 2011. I got elected in 2012. So this is a brand new district for me. I was thrilled when I heard that this district I was running in was going to go all the way to the Oregon border and include these great places. Not just because I am interested in these policies and the cannabis challenges. But they're beautiful areas. And I love to fish. And I love to be in these places. So these are communities that I just really like a lot.
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