”Biden’s win hides a dire warning for Democrats in rural U.S.” is a story running right now in the Associated Press in which “[a veteran Democratic strategist] worries that by winning Arizona, Georgia and the northern swing states without addressing the rural economy, Democrats might believe the states are now trending their way as the result of favorable population and demographic shifts.”
I’ll spare you a full read and let you know: it’s another “DEMS IN DISARRAY” story. Woe are we!
If only there was an issue that rural Democrats could make inroads with…
I’m as bullish a Democrat as anyone, but let’s be real: 68% of Americans ARE NOT Democrats. Also, much to my chagrin, Democrats are not unanimous in their support of cannabis legalization. (More on that another time.) That means that a good number of Republicans and — yes, rural Republicans — support legalizing cannabis!
“Turns out rednecks love to smoke weed. That’s the thing about cannabis: It really bridges socio-economic gaps.”
CHIP BAKER
How One of the Reddest States Became the Nation’s Hottest Weed Market — POLITICO (11/27/2020
Legalizing cannabis is not only something that can get young voters, typically disinterested voters, and Independents out to vote. It’s something that we can use to talk to rural voters. 49% of “conservative” voters and 74% of “moderate” voters support cannabis legalization!
This isn’t only the just and right thing to do; it’s the politically smart thing to do for us as Democrats. It’s the right thing for us to do as stewards of our economy. We need to lead on this issue by leaning into it and making sure that cannabis legalization on the federal and state level is done correctly. In other words, we can dip into the Republican voter pool in rural areas instead of the other way around.
If we, as a Commonwealth, believe like I do that cannabis is not only a commodity, but can be a life-saving treatment, let’s move swiftly to legalize and regulate the responsible adult use of cannabis in the Commonwealth and begin undoing the harms of prohibition that have victimized millions of Virginians.
FRIENDS OF MATT ROGERS — VISION
I’m Matt Rogers, a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates’ 47th District.
VA HD 47 - Matt Rogers
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