Longest AZ champion on the issue, both at the state and federal levels. As a state legislator, Gallego was the first to introduce legislation for full adult use in AZ.
Gallego supports full legalization and regulation
Holds office U.S. House District 3
H.R.3884 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019
H.R.1588 - Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2019
H.R.1647 - Veterans Equal Access Act 2019-2020
H.R.712 - VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2019
H.R.1595 - SAFE Banking Act of 2019
HR 1841- Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act 2018
"The criminalization of marijuana has been a disaster for communities of color and fueled decades of over-incarceration. It’s time for federal law to catch up to the 37 states including AZ that have decriminalized marijuana. The Senate needs to pass the MORE Act." (04/20/22)
"Yesterday, I voted for the MORE Act because too many lives have been ruined by the criminalization of marijuana. It's past time the federal government address the racial disparities in marijuana enforcement & end decades of failed drug policy." (04/02/22)
"Pleased to work with @RepMattGaetz to get our marijuana use waiver into the #FY20NDAA. A step in the right direction!" (06/13/19)
In response to a tweet by the Associated Press about Canada's government pardoning those with a record of 30 grams or less of cannabis posession Gallego replies, "We need to legalize Cannabis and do the same in the US. #ItsTime" (10/16/18)
Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement in response to reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions will rescind a policy that eased enforcement of federal marijuana laws as a growing number of states passed laws permitting regulated sale and use:
"I support full legalization of marijuana. As a member of the Arizona legislature, I introduced a bill that would have legalized marijuana possession and regulated and taxed marijuana in our state in a manner similar to alcohol. I wholly support these types of measures."
"Marijuana is less harmful than other regulated products, including alcohol, when used properly by adults. I believe that its regulation makes it even safer, and allows states to economically benefit through reasonable taxation - shifting production and sale of marijuana away from drug cartels and criminals and into the hands of taxpaying businesses that are subject to strict regulations."
"But this decision is also about so much more."
"Jeff Sessions' irresponsible decision is not only an infringement on states' rights, but it is bad policy that will disproportionately hurt Latino and black youth and the economically disadvantaged, who already face higher rates of prosecution and conviction for minor offenses."
"The Trump-Sessions Justice Department has weakened civil rights enforcement, increased mandatory minimum sentences, walked back monitoring of law enforcement agencies charged with civil rights abuses, and is now looking to ramp up prosecution of legalized marijuana."
"Jeff Sessions is a man whose entire career has been defined by his hostility towards civil rights and racial justice, and his tenure as the nation's top law enforcement official has enabled him to continue this dangerous assault on our democracy."
"The American people deserve a Justice Department that will fight to protect the civil rights of all people instead of promoting bad policy motivated by racial animus."
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-changes-doj-marijuana-enforcement-policies
1/4/2018
"I'm not a partaker," Gallego said at a mid-morning news conference on the State Capitol lawn. "I do believe, though, in the rule of law, and I do believe in individual liberty." 2016
As an Arizona State Representative, Gallego introduced a bill to legalize and regulate marijuana in a similar fashion to alcohol.
"Marijuana is objectively less harmful than other regulated products when used properly by adults,"
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/congressman-says-legal-weed-would-help-minorities-and-enrich-arizonas-economy-8391576
06/21/16
Email: GallegoForArizona@gmail.com
Web: https://www.flickr.com/photos/130819359@N02/
Phone: 202-225-4065
1114 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515