Continue to Site »
Site will load in 15 seconds

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar: Marijuana Must Be Legalized Nationwide to Fight Economic Inequality

Omar told BET that the federal government should strive to ensure consistency between states on the issue.

Capitol Gary
Gary/Adobe Stock

Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called on the federal government to take the lead in legalizing marijuana nationwide, warning that legal differences between states was exacerbating economic inequality.

The progressive Minnesota representative told BET that the federal government — which has long considered marijuana a medically unnecessary, illegal drug on par with heroin and cocaine — should strive to ensure consistency between states on the issue, according to the Star Tribune.

Advertisment: Cannabis Business Times » Cannabis Business Times Best Cannabis Companies to Work For » CBT Best Companies 2026 ROS Parallax Reveal » bcc-ads-730x570
Advertisment: Cannabis Business Times » Cannabis Business Times Best Cannabis Companies to Work For » CBT Best Companies 2026 ROS Parallax Reveal » bcc-ads-730x570

"What happens [without full legalization] is you will have a state where someone is publicly and professionally able to profit and the next state, someone could be sent to life [in prison] for it," Omar told BET.

Advertisment: Hydrofarm » Hydrofarm Order 113 » CBT ROS 300x250 Medium Rectangle » PhotoBio MX2 Med Rectangle Ad

Read more

Advertisment: Hanwha Vision » Hanwha Vision Order 78 » CBT ROS 300x250 Medium Rectangle June 2025 » Hanwha January Ad
Advertisment: Hanwha Vision » Hanwha Vision Order 78 » CBT ROS 300x250 Medium Rectangle June 2025 » Hanwha January Ad
Page 1 of 50
Next Page
Advertisment: Greentank » Greentank Order 92 » CBT ROS Mobile Adhesion 360x120 June 2025 » cbt-mobile-gt-shop