Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice president on Tuesday is encouraging news for the $36 billion U.S. marijuana industry, advocates.
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“For the first time, there will be a pro-legalization major party ticket,” said David Culver, senior vice president of public affairs for the U.S. Cannabis Council, a Washington, D.C.-based lobby for the industry.
Culver was referencing Harris’ support as vice president for the Biden administration’s quest to relax federal marijuana law as well as Walz’s record as Minnesota’s governor.
Walz signed Minnesota’s adult-use law
If the Harris-Walz ticket is elected on Nov. 5, Walz would become the first vice president to have signed an adult-use marijuana legalization bill into law, which he did in May 2023.
While Minnesota has not yet launched adult-use marijuana sales, low-THC hemp-derived beverages are sold across the state.
And Native American tribes, which are not subject to federal or local laws, have already begun selling adult-use marijuana in Minnesota as state regulators try to establish rules for a recreational market.
Cannabis advocates touted Walz’s impact on the legal marijuana industry in Minnesota.
“Under his leadership, Minnesota achieved a historically progressive policy agenda, including a nation-leading framework for cannabis legalization,” said Leili Fatehi, a cannabis advocate, attorney and political consultant in the state.
“He recognized that Minnesotans were ready for, and would embrace, a progressive, justice-oriented, and anti-monopolistic approach to cannabis legalization.
“This vision and foresight are precisely what we need as federal policy undergoes the significant changes we anticipate.”
Marijuana-reform advocacy was a common thread among other potential Democratic vice presidential selections. For example:
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who banked on adult-use cannabis revenue when he crafted his annual state budget.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed a medical marijuana legalization bill into law.
Where Republican ticket stands
The Republican ticket has stayed relatively silent on the issue of marijuana reform.
Former President Donald Trump’s record on cannabis while in the White House is relatively benign, even though his first choice as attorney general, Jeff Sessions, rescinded the Cole Memo soon after taking office. The Cole Memo essentially left legal marijuana programs in the United States alone.
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, has opposed marijuana banking reform and declined to take a position on adult-use legalization in his home state last year.
Recreational marijuana sales began in Ohio on Tuesday.
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