JD Vance, a former vice presidential running mate of Donald Trump and a current senator from Ohio, has made a claim that fentanyl is being laced into marijuana bags that teenagers are using. Vance made this statement during a campaign event with the Milwaukee Police Association in Wisconsin, where he spoke about his concerns as a parent of three young children.
Vance claimed that he was told by a police officer that fentanyl is being found in marijuana bags used by teenagers, echoing a claim that has been disputed by advocates and some state regulators. He expressed his concern that his children may one day experiment with drugs, including marijuana, and that he wants them to be able to learn from their mistakes and not have their lives ruined by a fatal overdose.
Vance’s comments come as the Biden administration’s border policies have been criticized for contributing to the spread of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs. Vance has been a vocal critic of the administration’s policies, and his comments on fentanyl-laced marijuana are likely to be seen as part of his broader critique of the administration’s handling of drug policy.
It’s worth noting that Vance has not proposed any specific solutions to address the issue of fentanyl-laced marijuana, and his comments have been criticized by advocates who argue that a regulatory framework for marijuana, including testing requirements and other safeguards, is needed to mitigate the risk of dangerous contaminants.
Vance’s comments also come as the issue of marijuana legalization is becoming increasingly prominent in the political debate. Trump has recently expressed support for states’ rights to set their own marijuana laws, and some Republican candidates are beginning to shift their stance on the issue. However, Vance has not explicitly endorsed marijuana legalization and has instead focused on his opposition to the Biden administration’s policies on drug enforcement.
