Both major-party presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, have expressed support for the reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous drug, reflecting the shift in public opinion towards legalization. Trump’s recent social media post indicated his focus on researching the medical benefits of marijuana and his support for allowing the sale of marijuana to adults for any reason in Florida. This move puts him in a position to potentially criticize Harris for her past cannabis prosecutions while she was district attorney in San Francisco, a line of attack that could resonate with nonwhite voters.
Harris, on the other hand, has previously opposed legalized recreational use for adults in California but now supports decriminalization, calling it “absurd” that marijuana is classified alongside heroin and LSD. Trump’s stance on marijuana policy has evolved since his 2016 campaign, where he advocated for leaving pot policy up to the states. However, his administration under then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions took a harsher approach towards cracking down on marijuana trade in states where it was legal.
The DEA has initiated the process of reevaluating marijuana’s federal classification, following President Joe Biden’s call for a review. But a final decision has not been made yet, highlighting the importance of the candidates’ positions on this issue. Despite the federal government’s slow progress on marijuana policy, many states have already legalized medical or recreational marijuana, reflecting the growing public support for reform. Support for legalization has reached record levels, with about 70% of adults in favor, according to a Gallup poll.
The proposed reclassification of marijuana would move it to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids, but it would not legalize recreational use outright. This shift is facing opposition from advocates who argue that more data is needed and from attorneys general in several states. Trump’s involvement in the marijuana debate coincided with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ strong opposition to ballot initiatives seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. DeSantis and the Florida Republican Party have expressed concerns about the potential impact of legalization on the quality of life and business environment in Florida.
Overall, the evolving positions of both presidential candidates on marijuana policy reflect the changing attitudes towards cannabis in the United States. With broad public support for legalization and increasing momentum at the state level, the federal government’s approach to marijuana regulation is likely to be a key issue in the upcoming election. The intersection of race, criminal justice, and public health in the marijuana debate underscores the importance of thoughtful and informed policymaking to address the complex challenges posed by drug policy in the U.S.
