CSP131-Live Oct 8 - Cowboy State Politics

David Iverson launches this live episode from the Bighorns studio, calling out what he calls a "record" that contradicts Eric Barlow’s public denials about recreational marijuana. Iverson walks listeners through the Open Range Record interview where Barlow flatly states he never supported legalized cannabis, then flips to the legislative trail that tells a different story. He details House Bill 209 from the 2021 COVID session—co‑sponsored by Barlow, Jared Olson, Nancy Case, Chris Rothfuss and others—a 122‑page proposal that would have created a full‑scale recreational market, from cultivation to retail, and projected $46 million in annual tax revenue based on Colorado data. Iverson highlights earlier bills, from the 2015 hemp‑extract regulation to the 2019 medical cannabis act (HB 278) and the 2022 Wyoming Medical Cannabis Act, showing Barlow’s consistent involvement in expanding cannabis access. The host contrasts those actions with Barlow’s later claim that he “doesn’t know how much marijuana would need to be sold” to offset a proposed property‑tax cut, pointing out the fiscal note that already estimated the revenue impact. Iverson also weaves in national references—Colorado’s homelessness surge, media criticism, and a Tom Lubnow piece on fossil‑fuel policy—to frame the broader political stakes. Throughout, he challenges the Barlow campaign’s silence after being given a chance to respond, labeling the denial “flat‑out false.” The episode ends with Iverson reminding listeners of upcoming local events and teasing a future podcast segment that will further dissect the “flat‑out false” narrative.

Categories: Local News