Who?
Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL)
Ask a Pol asks:
“We’re not hearing much about cannabis these days… Ahead of November, should Biden — Democrats in the Senate are calling on the DEA to [reschedule]?”
Key Garcia:
“Absolutely. It’s a get-out-the-vote rally cry,” Garcia exclusively told Ask a Pol. “Yeah. Hell yeah! With young people. Others, too — old fuckers too!”
Caught our ear:
“It’s there to be seized on, man,” Garcia says. “Either party can run with it, but we should.”
“Bragging rights.”
“I saw Bob Marley in concert in Chicago in 1977,” Garcia, rightfully, brags.
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LISTEN: Laslo & Chuy Garcia
Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL), slightly edited for clarity.
TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Chuy Garcia
Matt Laslo: “How ya doin’?”
Chuy Garcia: “Hi.”
ML: “We’re not hearing much about cannabis these days.”
CG: “Ah, yes.”
They enter an elevator in the Capitol.
ML: “You’re going to two or…?”
CG: “It’s the majority. They’re afraid.”
ML: “Yeah? They just changed the conversation.”
CG: ”Yeah.”
ML: “Ahead of November, should Biden, Democrats in the Senate call on the DEA to [re-schedule]?”
CG: “Absolutely. It’s a get-out-the-vote rally cry.”
ML: “Right?”
CG: “Yeah. Hell yeah! With young people. Others, too — old fuckers too!”
ML: “Right?!”
Both laugh.
CG: “Middle-aged voters!”
Both continue laughing.
ML: “That’s where it’s kinda surprising no one’s moved on it. Even I heard Trump kinda had a plan — well, Kellyanne Conway had a plan for Trump to move on it.”
CG: “Yeah. I know, it’s there to be seized on, man. Either party can run with it, but we should.”
ML: “Yeah? Are you all communicating that to the White House?”
CG: “No-no. Thanks for the reminder. Appreciate it.”
Laslo laughs.
ML: “But with Biden as a prohibitionist, opposes it, but…?”
CG: “It doesn’t matter.”
ML: “Yeah?”
CG: “Yeah.”
ML: “Because states like yours have said — they rejected it already.”
CG: “Yeah.”
ML: “Yeah?”
CG: “Yeah. Yup.”
ML: “I’m just glad you all legalized, because when I go home to visit my family, now I don’t gotta bring it with me on the plane!”
CG: “Hey — I saw Bob Marley in concert in Chicago in 1977.”
ML: “Oooh — I bet that was fun.”
CG: “Bragging rights.”
ML: “Whoo — I’m jealous now, sir!”
Garcia laughs.
ML: “Have a good one!”
CG: “You too!”
Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, new media prof. & founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.
Ask a Pol — asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol. @Ask_a_Pol or @askpols
Rep. Chuy Garcia on cannabis legalization: "It’s a get-out-the-vote rally cry”