Lieu Apologizes For Inviting Parkland Student to Try California Pot

Rep. Ted Lieu issued a quick apology on Twitter Sunday after inviting a Parkland, Florida, school shooting survivor, Kyle Kashuv, to California to experience the state’s “awesome cannabis” when he turns 21. “While I am proud of California’s legal cannabis law, I can see why saying this to you can be misinterpreted because you are not 21,” Lieu wrote in reply to Kashuv about the post. “I hereby apologize. You should listen to your parents.” In a previous tweet exchange with Kashuv, Lieu touted California’s economic achievements before telling Kashuv, “When you get to 21, come here and experience our awesome #cannabis,” adding that, in the meantime, he can drink “butterbeer” in Harry Potter World at California’s Universal Studios park. Was I just encouraged by a Congressman to smoke weed when I am 21? Yes, legally, but still. Holy smikee, batman! pic.twitter.com/a2kExgeUPx — Kyle Kashuv, Contributing Editor at Vanity Fair (@KyleKashuv) April 15, 2018 var rcrdTwitter = 1; The California Democrat has attracted a wide following on social media outside his own district for his wit and playful digs at President Donald Trump. He routinely defends California from online detractors by noting the size of the state’s economy and its budget surplus, unemployment rate, and lax laws on recreational marijuana. Lieu issued a similar invitation to Fox News host Tucker Carlson earlier in April. Dear @TuckerCarlson: CA has now grown to the 6th largest economy in the world, and we have a budget surplus. The unemployment rate is at a record low. And we have Disneyland. Who doesn't like Disneyland? Also, our cannabis is awesome. Come visit my district & I will show you. https://t.co/rIMLUXQzbi — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 7, 2018 var rcrdTwitter = 1; As dozens of students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland have gained popularity spearheading a new movement for increased gun control after a gunman killed 17 people at their school in February, Kashuv has garnered a following among conservatives for opposing those efforts and emphasizing conservative legislative initiatives. He has said he hopes to run for Congress when he is eligible. Watch: After Parkland, A Look at Previous Gun Control Efforts in Congress Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone or your Android.