While not personally a supporter of recreational marijuana being legalized in her state, Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto set aside her personal beliefs and voted in favor of her constituent's requests. She has made statements in support of her state's right to choose, and co-sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, along with other related pieces of legislation.
Holds office U.S. Senate
S.910 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021
S.1152 - SAFE Banking Act (2017)
S.3032 - STATES Act (2017-2018)
S.1028 - Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act 2019-2020
"There are so many Nevada business owners who have opened legal cannabis businesses and created jobs across our state, and they should be able to access the same banking services as all other businesses. Today’s vote is a historic step forward that will help keep Nevadans safe ,and I’ll continue working with my colleagues to get this bipartisan legislation signed into law as soon as possible." (September 27, 2023).
(4/4/19) “Nevadans voted overwhelmingly to legalize marijuana. The federal government must respect the will of Nevada voters and allow states that have chosen to legalize marijuana to appropriately regulate and tax this growing industry. This legislation amends the federal law to ensure public safety and decrease the risk of money laundering by granting legitimately regulated cannabis businesses access to banking services,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation respects the will of voters and brings these legitimate businesses out of the shadows.”
(3/22/18) Nevada legalized recreational marijuana in 2016. Cortez Masto said she opposed the ballot question. But since it has passed, she embraced defending the state’s burgeoning marijuana industry.“I opposed it, but at the end of the day, it’s the law,” she said. “It’s what voters decided, so now I’m here addressing a number of things we have to address besides the fact that I don’t want our attorney general or any federal law enforcement raiding our legally recognized entities that are doing business.”
A group of Senators signed a letter to the DOJ demanding less federal restrictions on states that have marijuana laws:
"It is essential that states that have implemented any type of practical, effective marijuana policy receive immediate assurance from the DOJ that it will respect the ability of states to enforce thoughtful, sensible drug policies in ways that do not threaten the public's health and safety," the senators wrote. "This ensures that state infrastructure, including tax revenue, small businesses, and jobs, can be protected; DOJ resources can be used most effectively; and most importantly, that marijuana can be properly regulated to improve public health and safety."
3/2/17
http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2017/03/02/cortez-masto-us-senators-co-sign-letter-asking-sessions-back-off-recreational-marijuana/98666634/
Email: info@catherinecortezmasto.com
Web: https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/
Phone: 202-224-3542
520 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510