Greetings! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• Bridging the Cannabis Divide
• Montana Republican Party
• National Debt Record
• One More Thing

BRIDGING THE CANNABIS DIVIDE:

There are not many things that I agree with Montana State Senator Jeremy Trebas about, but I do agree with his opinion on “Bridging the cannabis divide — federal policy and public opinion.” Trebas is a Republican State Senator in Senate District 10. 

Trebas writes:

Despite the widespread acceptance and trend toward state-level legalization for medical use, cannabis remains as a Schedule I drug at the federal level. This classification places cannabis in the same category as dangerous substances like heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. 

That’s why it’s time for the Drug Enforcement Agency to get in line with popular public opinion and scientific evidence to reschedule cannabis to a Schedule III substance. President Trump has also publicly stated that rescheduling is needed to unlock the medical uses of cannabis.

While Trebas writes about cannabis use for medical purposes, I don’t see any indication in the opinion piece about how Trebas feels about recreational marijuana, but small steps are wonderful. I am in favor of recreational marijuana. 

You can read the complete opinion from Trebas HERE. 

MONTANA REPUBLICAN PARTY:

The Daily Montanan reports that the Montana Republican Party announced on Wednesday that Tyler Newcombe has resigned from his role as Executive Director, after serving in the position since the beginning of the year. He will be taking on a new role as communications director and advisor for State Auditor James Brown. 

It was also reported by the Daily Montanan that in another change at the state party, Ethan Holmes has been brought on to serve as communications director to handle press affairs and as the primary point of contact for the party. Holmes is a University of Montana graduate who worked in communications and as a legislative advisor for the Senate Republicans during the 2025 session.

Political parties all across the fruited plains are gearing up for the 2026 midterm elections. The Montana GOP just recently elected a new chairman, and we often see changes in the staff. 

I think a big hurdle for the Montana GOP is to ensure elected officials who vote with the party 80%-90% of the time are valued and not attacked as RINOs. 

That may be too much of a hurdle to overcome. 

NATIONAL DEBT RECORD:

Congratulations are in order for President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled U.S. House and U.S. Senate! 

The Associated Press is reporting that the U.S. government’s gross national debt has surpassed $37 trillion, a record number that highlights the accelerating debt on America’s balance sheet and increased cost pressures on taxpayers. The $37 trillion update is found in the latest Treasury Department report issued Tuesday, which logs the nation’s daily finances.

I wonder if Trump will fire the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, for releasing these devastating numbers, like he did with Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer for a jobs report he did not like.

ONE MORE THING:

I just found out there’s no popcorn in popcorn shrimp. I guess there’s no reason to try pot roast…

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