Trump reclassifies cannabis as Schedule III drug

While President Trump's executive order reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III controlled substanceis is a welcome step forward, those who support liberty must continue to press for repeal of all federal drug laws. 

Chmee2, Cannabis sativa plant. CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Trump Takes a Step Toward Liberty | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

December 29, 2025 - "President Trump recently signed an executive order changing marijuana’s Controlled Substances Act classification from Schedule I to Schedule III. Schedule I is supposed to include especially dangerous drugs that are likely to be abused and have no medical purpose. Whatever one thinks of the wisdom and morality of using marijuana, the fact is it is less addictive, and quite possibly safer, than alcohol. Many Americans who live in one of the 40 states that have legalized medicinal marijuana use it for a variety of ailments.

"Reclassifying marijuana does not repeal federal laws criminalizing its use. The reclassifying does, though, facilitate research into marijuana’s medical benefits. It also enables marijuana businesses that are legal under state laws to take ordinary deductions on their taxes.

"While President Trump’s executive order is a step forward, those who support advancing liberty must continue to press for repeal of all federal drug laws.

"The Constitution does not give the federal government any authority to outlaw marijuana or any other “illicit” substance. At least supporters of alcohol prohibition understood that a constitutional amendment was needed to impose a national ban on alcohol. 

"The war on drugs has been a primary excuse for violations of liberties including unconstitutional searches and seizures, 'no-knock raids,' bank reports to the federal government on those making large cash deposits, and draconian mandatory minimum sentences. The drug war has also been used to justify foreign interventions — such as President Trump’s current actions against Venezuela.

"Defenders of the drug war say it is necessary because the drug trade is controlled by violent criminals — even though this is the inevitable result of outlawing a product people wish to consume. The most important reason to end the drug war is that government has no moral right to stop adults from engaging in a peaceful (even if unwise) behavior like smoking marijuana. Laws prohibiting drug use have no place in a free society. These laws are rooted in the idea that our rights are merely gifts from the government conditioned on our “good “behavior. A government that can stop people from smoking marijuana is a government that can also mandate what vaccines we receive and how our children are educated.

"Of course, in a free society, an individual who uses drugs would be responsible for the consequences of his choices, and those who oppose drug use could exercise their right to try to persuade others to abstain from drug use.

"When I campaigned to return to Congress in 1996, both Republicans (in the primary) and Democrats (in the general election) focused on attacking my position on drugs. In response, I explained that the federal government has no authority to outlaw drugs and that the police state being built to stop drug use threatens all our liberty. The responsibility for combatting drug use belongs elsewhere, such as with churches and family members. I summed up my position as not pro-drug, but pro-liberty. In the end, I won that race. The people have been ahead of politicians in understanding the folly of the drug war.

"All of us who value liberty must oppose the drug war. We should speak out for replacing various mandates and punishments of the drug war with increased respect for individual rights. We should also be steadfast that the end goal be a complete ending of the federal government’s drug prohibition."

Copyright © 2025 The Ron Paul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.
https://ronpaulinstitute.org/trump-takes-a-step-toward-liberty/

Doug Ford #1 on taxpayers group's naughty list

Ontario premier Doug Ford topped the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) annual Naughty List this year for giving himself a $73,000 raise and for bringing back taxpayer-funded pensions for MPPs.

Taxpayers release Naughty and Nice List | Canadian Taxpayers' Federation (news release): 

December 8, 2025 - Ontario Premier Doug Ford tops the Taxpayer Naughty List for gifting politicians massive pay raises, bringing back taxpayer-funded pensions for politicians and making Ontario’s political welfare permanent.

Image courtesy Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

"'Ford took a pay raise that would make even Ebenezer Scrooge blush: A $73,000 hike in one year,' said Franco Terrazzano, CTF [Canadian Taxpayers Federation] Federal Director. 'But Ford isn’t the only one with coal in his stocking.

“'The Patron Saint of Children doesn’t like it when politicians saddle future generations with massive debt bills, so federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is on the Naughty List for borrowing tens of billions of dollars every year.

“'The Canada Revenue Agency left Santa on hold for nearly an hour then gave Mr. Claus the wrong tax information, so those bureaucrats are on the Naughty List.'

"Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree made the Taxpayer Naughty List for targeting law-abiding Canadian firearms owners instead of going after illegal guns and criminals.

"Quebec Premier François Legault is on the Naughty List for being the only premier to keep charging a consumer carbon tax.

"But it wasn’t all bad this year because lots of folks made the Taxpayer Nice List.

"Indigenous activist Hans McCarthy made the Taxpayer Nice List for winning a landmark court case to improve transparency for First Nations’ band members. And Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston also made the Nice List for cutting income taxes, sales taxes and small business taxes.

“'The Parliamentary Budget Officer topped the Nice List for giving taxpayers the gift of government transparency and calling Krampus on Ottawa’s creative budget accounting,' Terrazzano said. 'Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made Santa’s good books for saving taxpayers a ton of cookie dough during the teachers’ strike and getting kids back to school.'"

Taxpayer Naughty List:

• Ontario Premier Doug Ford
• Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne
• The Canada Revenue Agency
• British Columbia Finance Minister Brenda Bailey
• Quebec Premier François Legault
• Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree

Taxpayer Nice List:

• Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques
• Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe
• Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston
• Cape Breton gun owners
• Indigenous activist Hans McCarthy
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/taxpayers-release-naughty-and-nice-list-en_ca-4198c029

US military budget tops $1 Trillion

U.S. Air Force planes at Pittsburgh Air Show, 2017. Wikimedia Commons.

A Christmas Gift to the War Machine | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

December 22, 2025 - "Late last week, Congress passed and President Trump signed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill marks the first time the US military budget officially passed the one trillion dollar [$1,000,000,000,000] mark. Of course, when you add in other military-related spending such as interest on the debt, veterans’ affairs, and military components of other government agencies, the true number is at least one and a half times that amount.

"To paraphrase the famous 1953 President Eisenhower speech, 'The Chance for Peace,' each of these dollars spent on military offense and the maintenance of the US global empire rather than on defense of our own nation is taken from the mouths of the hungry and off the backs of hardworking American families.

"Congress is so addicted to military spending that they appropriated even more money than President Trump requested, including an unconscionable $800 million for thoroughly corrupt Ukraine. Will Washington ever be called to answer for why Americans, who are seeing their standard of living eaten away by inflation and a declining economy, should continue to subsidize a criminal regime overseas whose ruling class enjoys the comfort of golden toilets?

"The Ukraine money also undermines President Trump’s claim to be a neutral mediator in the conflict. How can you be a peacemaker when you are sending nearly a billion dollars in weapons to one side to help kill the other side? It makes no sense.

"Congress even included measures in the bill that would prevent President Trump from bringing any US troops home from real 'forever wars' in Korea and Europe. For how many more decades must the American worker continue to subsidize a US military presence in countries completely unrelated to our own security? World War II ended 80 years ago and the Korean war some ten years later. Yet the American military empire remains, at an incalculable cost to Americans.

"Some fellow critics will say this is all about welfare for rich countries overseas, and that’s partly right. But more than that, it is welfare for the politically-connected US military-industrial complex at home. Imagine how many retired US military officers and former US officials-turned-lobbyists might be financially inconvenienced if we finally 'just marched home'?

"This week Western Christians will celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, with the Orthodox celebrating a few days later. It is disheartening that so many Americans who call themselves Christians also hold fast to a view that we must bankrupt our country and impoverish our people by playing policeman to the world and arbiter of whose regime must be changed by Washington.

"Christians are among the biggest victims in these overseas operations, including in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza. Yet many American Christians turn a blind eye to the suffering and misery produced by neocon-led militarism overseas. They don’t care that unquestioning support for Israel, for example, has nearly erased Christianity from where it was born. 

"Imagine if Jesus were born in the Holy Land today.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” That is the message of the Savior whose birth we Christians celebrate this week. Continuing to bankrupt our country and export misery overseas in the futile pursuit of a global military empire places us in opposition to this worthwhile advice. Let us all join together and work for a real peace in the New Year!

Copyright © 2025 The Ron Paul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.

https://ronpaulinstitute.org/a-christmas-gift-to-the-war-machine/

Joe Tay to floor-crosser Michael Ma

Former Conservative candidate Joe Tay pens an open letter to floor-crosser Michael Ma on X.

December 12, 2025 - "This year, my birthday is filled with confusion and deep frustration. Personally, I lack nothing. Yet living in Canada — a country that has long prided itself on upholding democracy and freedom—I find myself witnessing our democratic system being openly disregarded and attacked in broad daylight. Politicians have publicly abandoned their voters, cast aside the principles they once claimed to uphold, and behaved as though their actions carry no consequences. 

"Without consulting constituents, without regard for public opinion, and without any prior notice, under the solemn institution of the House of Commons, a decision was made to publish the following statement on the Liberal Party’s official website:

After listening carefully to the people of Markham–Unionville in recent weeks and reflecting with my family on the direction of our country, I have informed the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition that I will be joining Prime Minister Mark Carney in the government caucus.

"Because I believe deeply in and respect democracy, I also respect every individual’s right to make their own choices — each person must ultimately be accountable for their decisions. However, this act of crossing the floor is not merely a personal choice.

Joe Tay (left) and Michael Ma.

"You represent the voices and aspirations of more than 27,000 Conservative voters in Markham–Unionville. Every ballot is sacred. Voters entrusted you with their votes and sent you to the House of Commons to speak on their behalf. This announcement is not simply a matter of switching parties; it is a complete betrayal of the trust placed in you by your constituents and a betrayal of the democratic system that this country is duty-bound to respect.

"Even without invoking broader national principles, 'integrity toward voters and accountability to voters' should be the most basic requirement of anyone who chooses to enter politics—from the very first day—toward themselves, their constituents, their party, and Canada.

"As a Member of Parliament, you did not uphold the commitment you swore to when taking office—to represent voters and defend democracy. Instead, you chose to ignore the democratic system, failed to close its loopholes, and actively trampled on the democracy Canadians hold dear.

"I write with such gravity because I have been a victim myself. In 2024, when I announced my candidacy in the same Markham–Unionville riding, throughout the nomination contest and until the conclusion of the 2025 federal election, the RCMP confirmed — supported by findings from the SITE Task Force — and the Department of Foreign Affairs publicly condemned acts of Foreign election interference directed at me, my family, overseas relatives, my campaign volunteers, and the entire election operation. These included threats to our safety, online defamation, surveillance, intimidation, and attacks.

"Because I chose to participate in a democratic election and speak for voters in Parliament, my family and I were forced to endure daily isolation, fear, and pressure that outsiders can scarcely comprehend. To this day, the trauma remains.

"After experiencing Foreign election interference, I now find myself witnessing people once again placing personal interests above those of citizens and the nation. On my birthday, I and many voters in Markham–Unionville are simultaneously subjected to Internal election interference and betrayal. For my family and me, this constitutes a second psychological injury.

"In your announcement on the Liberal Party’s official website, you claim that your decision was supported by your family and constituents. If that is truly the case, why did all of your social media accounts disappear immediately afterward?"

Read more: https://x.com/joetay1212/status/1999529817251991599

School choice makes progress under Trump

"The only way to 'fix' American education is to restore control to local communities, school boards, and — most of all — parents."

Progress in the Fight for Educational Freedom | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

December 1, 2025 - "'The government shutdown 'proved an argument that conservatives have been making for 45 years: The U.S. Department of Education is mostly a pass-through for funds that are best managed by the states.' 

"The most significant thing about this statement in a November 16 USA Today editorial is not its substance. As the editorial’s author points out, the argument presented is not new. 

The most significant thing about the statement is that its author is Education Secretary Linda McMahon. 

"Unlike many in DC, Secretary McMahon backs up her words with action. She is dismantling the Department of Education, fulfilling one of President Trump’s campaign promises. Since President Trump and Secretary McMahon cannot close the department absent authorizing legislation — legislation that appears unlikely to pass in the current Congress — Secretary McMahon is gutting the department by transferring responsibility for most of its functions to other parts of the government. 

"Secretary McMahon has moved to the Labor Department the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, which administers 27 K-12 grant programs, and the office of Postsecondary Education, which administers 14 programs aimed at helping college students, as well as several other programs. The Interior Department will manage the Indian education program, while the State Department will manage the federal foreign language education program. The Department of Education will, for the time being, ensure schools are complying with federal civil rights laws.

"Spreading education programs among several different departments may reduce spending. For example, it could spur Congress to stop wasting millions of dollars a year on public relations for the Education Department. However, it does not necessarily reduce federal involvement in education. Therefore, those of us committed to restoring control over education to local communities must continue to advocate for eliminating all federal education programs. The billions spent by the federal government on “improving” education have had the opposite effect. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 72 percent of American eighth graders are below proficient in math and 70 percent are below proficient in reading.

"America’s education system cannot be fixed by another No Child Left Behind style reform imposed on local schools by federal politicians and bureaucrats. Instead, the only way to 'fix' American education is to restore control to local communities, school boards, and — most of all — parents.

"This is why all who care about quality education should celebrate the continued growth of homeschooling. According to Angela R. Watson of the Institute for Education Policy at Johns Hopkins University, homeschooling in the 2024-25 school year “continued to grow across the United States, increasing at an average rate of 5.4 percent.”

"Parents looking for a homeschooling curriculum incorporating the ideas of liberty should consider my online curriculum. My curriculum provides students with a solid education in history, literature, mathematics, and the sciences. It also gives students the opportunity to create their own websites and internet-based businesses. This provides students with 'real world' entrepreneurial experience that will be useful no matter what career paths they choose. The curriculum is designed to be self-taught, with students helping, and learning from, each other via online forums. Starting in the fourth grade, students are required to write at least one essay a week. Students also take a course in public speaking.

"The curriculum emphasizes the history, philosophy, and economics of liberty, but it never substitutes indoctrination for education. The goal is to produce students with superior critical thinking skills. If you think my curriculum may meet the needs of your child, please visit www.RonPaulCurriculum.com for more information."

Copyright © 2025 The Ron Paul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.

https://ronpaulinstitute.org/progress-in-the-fight-for-educational-freedom/