Comedian and talk show host Bill Maher is a long-time cannabis advocate, but what are his thoughts when it comes to Donald Trump and his new cabinet? The future of legalization is dubious, at best.
Maher expressed his uncertainty for the future of cannabis in America in a recent interview with the media outlet, ATTN.
The interview begins with the premise that Senator Jeff Sessions, Trump’s pick for attorney general, is no friend of the legal marijuana movement. The interviewer reminded Maher of how the anti-cannabis lawmaker bluntly said, “good people don’t smoke marijuana” – a statement to which Maher laughed.
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“Everyone is trying to get me to invest (in cannabis) or put my name on (a product) like Maher-ijuana, they already had the names lined up.” He remains hesitant since a friend of his went to jail in 2000 for his involvement with the plant, even though it was medically legal in California.
Maher’s advice to cannabis activists
Maher believes there could be an uptick in federal cannabis raids because of the political climate in Washington, D.C.
“I certainly think it’s possible,” he said in the interview.
READ MORE: Tell Trump to Bump Sessions for Graham
Trump may not declare a revived war on drugs, but he would use it for his own gains.
“Don’t piss off your old dealer,” Maher advised. “You know, the guy you used to talk to before you got the weed and kind of deal with his shaggy girlfriend and kind of be interested in his stories? You might have to do that again.”
A long-time cannabis advocate
It’s not the first time Maher has been candid about cannabis.
In February of 2016, on his late-night talk program, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” he smoked the herb on air.
“I use medical marijuana because my third eye has glaucoma,” Maher said at the time. “And you know, it’s acting up right now. Maybe I should treat it. This is private property, and I do have a card.”
He lit up a joint and puffed, puffed, passed it to his guests.
“I know you’re tired, I am too, of making the same old, obvious pot arguments — like how pot is less dangerous than other legal adult activities. But somehow you can drink alcohol, you can smoke cigarettes,” he said.
Rumors swirled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was fining the comedian and host nearly $2 million for lighting up. Turns out, it was just more fake news.
Cannabis reform is a frequent topic on his show, including his interview with President Obama this year.
Obama revealed he hasn’t pushed the legalization angle out of concern for the ties between the herb and smoking it – because inhaling carcinogens of any leaf, whether cannabis or tobacco, are harmful to one’s health.
As an ex-smoker, the president explained to Maher, “There is this enormous public health effort to get kids to not start smoking. And make sure the parents felt guilty if they were passing on that habit with their kids.”
Real Time with Bill Maher returns to HBO with new shows beginning January 20th, 2017.
