The US Presidential elections are only weeks away with candidates and voters both gearing up for the final phase. Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump put on a good show during the recent presidential debate in Philadelphia. But many issues remain undiscussed. Interestingly, one such issue is that of federal marijuana legalisation, something both candidates might have more to agree on rather than disagree with.
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It is a valid prospect to think that this election might finally result in some federal changes to the ban on recreational marijuana usage which has been in place for over 100 years.
Interestingly, in the US, 24 states and the District of Columbia — representing 53 per cent of the nation’s population — have legalised marijuana and now tax and regulate marijuana sales similar to alcohol, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, which supports legalising cannabis.
An additional seven states have removed jail sentences for possessing small amounts of marijuana. A total of 38 states and the District of Columbia have laws that allow the medical use of marijuana.
About 70 per cent of American adults said marijuana should be legal in a Gallup poll taken last year, the highest level recorded by the polling firm since it first asked about marijuana policy in 1969.
Times are changing, and it is, therefore, going to be an interesting election on November 5, with both candidates leaning in similar directions, despite numerous other disagreements.
KAMALA HARRIS’ STANCE
The Vice-President has had an interesting journey when it comes to legalising marijuana. Although she introduced a Senate bill in 2019 to federally decriminalise marijuana, and noted incarceration for marijuana possession shouldn’t happen, Harris was not always this easy-going.
Harris’s reign as the San Francisco District Attorney saw her office convict almost 2,000 people for marijuana-related crimes, according to the Washington Post. During her 2010 run to be California’s attorney general, she vehemently opposed legalising marijuana for recreational use.
And then, by 2019, she was suddenly advocating for legalisation and admitted, as a presidential candidate, to indulging in some grass herself. She has since advocated for numerous policies and pardons for those convicted of marijuana use.
“Nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed,” Harris said. “And what we need to do is recognise that far too many people have been sent to jail for simple marijuana possession.”
With Harris in office, it would be safe to assume that marijuana might soon have its day in the sun.
DONALD TRUMP’s STANCE
Then comes former President Donald Trump. He has toed a line when it comes to legalising marijuana. He seldom speaks against it or for it. When he does, it’s more ambiguous than clear. As President, he pardoned a drug dealer serving a life sentence, but then spoke of his intention in 2023 to give the death penalty to all drug dealers.
Then, only days ago, he voiced his support the most clearly as he ever has, on Truth Social, saying that he would be voting in favour of the Florida Ballot initiative to legalise marijuana.
“I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults to safe, tested, products,” he wrote on Truth Social on September 9.
He added: “As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorised companies, and supporting states’ rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens.”
Whether this transpires is yet to be seen, but the signs are encouraging that marijuana may finally see federal legislation within the next decade. But the thing which is sure is, the elections on November 5 will have a say in it.