craschworks

WASHINGTON – Approval last month in the U.S. House of Representatives of legislation that would prohibit the sale of synthetic marijuana and other drugs known as “bath salts” and “plant food” has been delayed indefinitely in the Senate, American Medical News reports.

The House voted 317-98 on December 8 to ban the synthetic drugs, which can mimic the effects of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines; however, the Senate companion bill has been held up by an objection from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).

Hooray for Rand Paul! This is why I’m still active in the political process. It takes far more work to repeal a law than it does to prevent it from being created in the first place. Even a single senator can derail a bill indefinitely. A few more Rand Paul’s in office could block many pernicious laws.

In addition, although Romney is likely to win the Republican nomination, he will need Ron Paul’s support in order to win the general election. If Paul were to run independent, Romney would almost certainly lose. (And Paul himself has nothing to lose by doing just that; he’s not running for re-election as a Congressman, and the Republican leadership has treated him like shit.) That gives Paul a lot of leverage over Romney. For example, he could insist that Romney pick Rand Paul as his running mate.