Twelve years ago, marijuana legalization seemed far off, with mainstream politicians opposed to it and recreational use illegal even in the most progressive states.
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Fast forward to today, and legalization is on the table in places like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Florida, where voters are set to decide on it this November. Both major presidential candidates now support legalization, marking a historic shift. Kamala Harris recently reiterated her support, and Donald Trump has expressed backing for Florida’s initiative and support for loosening federal restrictions. This is the first time in history that even one major-party presidential candidate has openly supported legalizing marijuana.
The shift toward legalization has been fast, especially for American politics, where bipartisan shifts in opinion usually take decades. So, what’s behind this rapid change? For one, politicians are tracking voter sentiment, which has evolved rapidly in recent years. Looking at how public opinion has changed — and the impact of Harris’s and Trump’s positions on this issue — even states with legalized marijuana may see shifts on federal policy soon.
How Public Opinion Changed So Fast
Public opinion on domestic policy typically stays steady. For instance, attitudes on gun laws have barely budged over the last few decades since the passage of the Brady Act. But with marijuana, it’s a different story: only 31% of Americans supported legalization in 2000, compared to 70% today.
Most Democrats have been in favor of legalization since the late 2000s, and most Republicans have joined them since around 2017. So, why did opinions shift so quickly? One reason might be fatigue with the war on drugs; years of harsh policies didn’t yield the results people hoped for. The country’s ongoing opioid crisis has intensified the push for drug policy reform, with many Americans viewing marijuana as less dangerous than substances like alcohol and tobacco.
Despite concerns around legalization, including reports of increased addiction and related health issues, the majority of Americans still favor legal cannabis. Both Democratic and Republican leaders are responding to this change in public sentiment.
Federal Impact and What’s Next
With many states already legalizing marijuana, including possibly a majority after this year’s election, it’s worth asking whether the positions of presidential candidates make much difference. After all, states have been taking the lead on this issue for a while now. However, federal law still has a big impact. Many banks, for example, are wary of working with marijuana businesses because of federal regulations, which treat those transactions like they would money from a drug cartel. This leaves dispensaries vulnerable to robbery, as they can’t take credit cards and often can’t safely store their cash.
If federal regulations were to loosen, it could address some of the issues that have surfaced post-legalization. Ultimately, Congress will decide if federal marijuana laws will be changed or repealed. But with both presidential contenders showing support for legalization, the next Congress will have more leeway to act on marijuana reform without worrying about a presidential veto.
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