In a recent interview on the All the Smoke podcast, Vice President Kamala Harris made her position clear on marijuana legalization, marking the first time she’s publicly addressed the issue since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.
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Harris emphasized that "people should not be going to jail for smoking weed," highlighting the historical racial disparities in cannabis-related arrests and convictions. She further stated, “We need to legalize it and stop criminalizing this behavior,” reaffirming her long-standing position as a proponent of federal cannabis reform.
Harris, who previously sponsored a federal cannabis legalization bill as a senator, reiterated her belief that marijuana should be decriminalized and legalized. She acknowledged that her views on this subject are not new, but this is the first time she’s made the topic a central point in her presidential campaign.
While Harris strongly supports nationwide cannabis legalization, her running mate, Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz, has suggested that marijuana reform may be better left to the states. Walz, who has previously advocated for veterans' access to medical marijuana and federal banking protections for cannabis businesses, has emphasized the importance of electing more Democrats to pass broader federal reforms.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump, who is running for another term, recently shifted his stance on marijuana reform, supporting federal rescheduling of cannabis to a lower classification and expanding banking access for marijuana businesses. He also voiced support for Florida’s upcoming ballot measure on marijuana legalization. However, the Harris campaign criticized Trump for flip-flopping on cannabis policy, pointing out his administration’s actions that hindered marijuana reform.
The ongoing debate around federal cannabis legalization comes as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recommended rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. However, this process may not be finalized until after the presidential election, raising concerns about the future of cannabis reform depending on the outcome of the race.
While Trump has accused Harris of incarcerating many Black people for cannabis offenses during her time as a prosecutor, the full extent of her record is more complex. Nonetheless, her stance now represents a firm commitment to cannabis legalization, making it a significant issue in the 2024 presidential race.
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