Rep. Gosar Introduces Bipartisan Legislation, "No Welfare for Weed Act"

Statement

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after introducing the No Welfare for Weed Act, with the support of 24 bipartisan cosponsors, which closes a loophole that prevents the federal government from preventing welfare recipients from purchasing marijuana with welfare benefits:

"It should go without saying that hard-earned taxpayer money should not be used for people to get high. However, there will always be some people who try to game the system and that is why this revision to federal law is necessary. This bipartisan bill is so commonsense that it has earned the support of the Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.

"Let me be blunt: Regardless of any opinions on medical or recreational marijuana use, federal welfare dollars should not be spent to purchase weed. The sole purpose of this bill is to prohibit marijuana from being purchased with SNAP and TANF welfare benefits. These programs provide food and other basic living essentials for the neediest families. My legislation prohibits beneficiaries from purchasing pot with federal tax dollars that should be used by recipients to feed and care for their families."

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