A powerful Republican Senator hints that Congress may discuss nationwide marijuana legalization this year

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis suggests Congress will discuss marijuana legalization this year in a letter obtained by Business Insider.
Tillis' office said the wording referred to more general "debate" over the issue between members of Congress, rather than a specific floor action.
Tillis isn't a proponent of marijuana legalization, though he did co-sponsor a bill to facilitate research into the potential medical benefits of marijuana in 2017.

Sen. Thom Tillis, a powerful Republican from North Carolina, suggested in a letter shared with Business Insider that the Senate Judiciary Committee is "likely" to discuss marijuana legalization this year.

The letter was addressed to Rod Kight, a North Carolina lawyer who works with companies in the cannabis industry.

Nine states and Washington D.C. havelegalized cannabis, though it's considered an illegal, Schedule I drug by the federal level.

In his letter, Kight says he became a support of legal access to marijuana after surviving cancer. He used marijuana to alleviate symptoms of sleeplessness and nausea associated with chemotherapy, and he has built a practice advising cannabis companies that operate legally within state laws.

Kight circulated a response to Tillis' letter, addressed to the full Judiciary Committee, outlining his argument for the federal legalization of marijuana.

Though Tillis, a Republican, is not a strong supporter of legalizing marijuana, he cosponsored a piece of legislation last year with Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch — the MEDS Act — to expand research into the medical benefits of marijuana.

Here's the full text of Tillis' letter:

"Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts regarding the legalization of marijuana. I appreciate you taking the time to contact me and welcome the opportunity to respond.

Proposals to legalize marijuana should not be taken lightly. I understand that many individuals believe marijuana use is benign. The fact remains, however, that marijuana use can result in adverse health consequences, particularly among adolescents. It goes without saying that a product which has adverse psychological and physiological impacts on its user can ultimately harm third parties. For me, it is crucial that we continue to educate ourselves on all the short-term and long-term consequences of marijuana use before we consider unrestricted legalization of the drug. It is my goal to pursue policies that protect our nation’s youth from the dangerous consequences of illegal drug use and help produce productive and responsible members of society.

As you may know, I am a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and this issue will likely be discussed this Congress. If this issue comes before the Judiciary Committee or the full Senate, I will carefully consider everything you have said in making a decision on what is best for North Carolina and the country.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. It is important for elected officials to hear directly from citizens on issues that affect the state and the nation. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me again about other important issues."

A powerful Republican Senator hints that Congress may discuss nationwide marijuana legalization this year

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