Congress just adopted a resolution, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, recognizing the craft beer industry in light of its promotion of entrepreneurialism and its contribution to society. Now medical marijuana dispensary owners across the congresswoman's home state are calling on her to sponsor a similar resolution recognizing their industry for the very same reasons.
As POLITICO reported this morning:
"We've got quite a number of microbreweries and entrepreneurs that are creating jobs, and we wanted to celebrate that this is a craft," Markey told POLITICO.
"I think beer has been a tradition since this country was founded," said Markey. "We wanted to celebrate entrepeneurship -- and good beer!"
Markey is obviously partial to brews from her home state of Colorado, but she won't claim a favorite...
The real question is: Why would anyone vote against this?
"It does seem like a no brainer," said Markey.
Medical marijuana dispensary owners in Colorado - including some in Markey's district - say they are also entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, helping the economy, and crafting a product that is useful to society. Last week, Colorado became the first state to codify a statewide marijuana distribution system after the legislature adopted regulations of the state's booming medical marijuana industry.
From SAFER's news release:
"I'm just as much an entrepreneur as the owner of any microbrewery in Colorado," said Tina Valenti, owner of In Harmony Wellness, a medical marijuana dispensary in Markey's district. "Cultivating various strains of medical-grade marijuana is just as much a craft as brewing various types of beer."
Along with touting the economic impact of the beer industry, Markey also hailed it as an intricate craft resulting in a variety of enjoyable products.
"You can't just have one," said Markey. "It really depends on what mood you're in. Sometimes, I like a light beer -- I might want a Skinny Dip -- or otherwise prefer a heavier brew."
Of course the medical marijuana industry is an equally intricate craft resulting in a variety of useful products:
"Just as Congresswoman Markey might want a lighter beer on one occasion and a heavier beer on another, my patients might need a more potent type of marijuana on one occasion and a less potent type on another," said Kayvan Khalatbari, owner of Denver Relief.
So, if Congresswoman Markey can introduce a resolution touting the production of alcohol -- a drug that contributes to acts of violence and other serious problems -- we don't know why she wouldn't be willing to introduce one touting the production of a far less harmful product that had never been found to contribute to such problems.
Why would anyone vote against that? After all, it too is a no-brainer.