Ex-Gov. Weld Says Research Key to Pot Legalization
*By Jacqueline Corba*
Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld called on President Trump to change the federal classification of marijuana so researchers can explore the drug's ability to treat diseases, including cancer.
"I think anybody who is a reasonable politician has to listen to the argument that its been proved around the world that this will cure the ailments that your constituents are suffering from," Weld said in an interview with Cheddar at the Cannabis World Congress in New York. "Do you want to look your constituents in the eye, and say, 'No ー I'm going to stand in the way of you getting the physical relief from pain and suffering that you know you can get around the corner? That's a position that makes no political sense."
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, marijuana is a Schedule I drug, which is the same category as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. This means it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and is not accepted for medical use.
Weld, who is a member of the board of the cannabis company Acreage Holdings, said Washington has yet to catch up with the country when it comes to cannabis: 64 percent of Americans say it should be made legal, according to a [Gallup Poll](http://news.gallup.com/poll/221018/record-high-support-legalizing-marijuana.aspx).
"There's a lot of old people who have pains and aches that cannabis is very useful in just making go away. They are a voting bloc," said Weld, who also said millennial voters are another large bloc in favor of legalization. "So that's a pretty good pair of bookend voting blocs for any politician that is listening."
Weld said ultimately research will make it impossible for members of Congress to vote against cannabis, once they understand more about the drugs abilities.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/why-bill-weld-is-pushing-to-declassify-marijuana-as-schedule-i-drug).
After the 2021 boom, IPO activity slowed down significantly, in part due to monetary policy – but things are getting moving again with tech-friendly companies like Iboutta and Rubrik making a public debut.
With an increasing demand for mental health services, one person wanted to change the therapy game. In 2017, CEO Alex Katz founded Two Chairs, a company that uses technology to match patients with the right therapist.
Not only is April Financial Literacy Month, it’s also the kickoff of the spring homebuying season. So now is the time to make sure you have a financial plan in place – and why it might not be wise for that to include buying your first home.
While the U.S. may slowly be on the path to lowering inflation (and therefore interest rates), Europe has thoroughly trounced America, putting it on the path to lower rates by this summer.
April's release of the monthly Housing Starts and Building Permits reports by the Census Bureau provides crucial insights into the construction activity in the housing market. These reports are an economic indicator, shedding light on the current state of the housing market and its broader economic impact.
Caitlin Clark is heading to the Indiana Fever, the number one draft pick and the highest-scoring college basketball player of all time. And while she may not be getting millions from the WNBA, there's a few ways she'll net compensation for her generational talents.
Author of 'Clean Meat,' Paul Shapiro joins Cheddar to discuss how the cellular agricultural revolution helps lower rates of foodborne illness and greatly improves environmental sustainability. Plus, how his company The Better Meat Co. is bringing healthier food options to the table.
Recent headlines might make it sound like World War III is imminent, but when it comes to your finances, it's not the time to panic. The market is coming off its longest winning streak since 2011.
You may have noticed fewer new venture capital-backed startups (like Airbnb or Uber) lately. The market slowed to a crawl after 2021, but things are expected to take off again in 2025.
