Bipartisan Support for Marijuana Legalization Grows as Trump Backs Recreational Use in Florida
09/20/2024
In a significant shift, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced that he would support Florida’s Amendment 3, a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use in the state. Trump's endorsement highlights the growing bipartisan support for marijuana reform, positioning the issue at the forefront of the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump’s backing of marijuana reform marks a departure from his previous “law and order” stance and could signal a broader Republican realignment on cannabis policy. His statement also expressed support for federal legislation that would ease banking restrictions for state-legal marijuana businesses and reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law.
Josh Glasstetter, spokesperson for the U.S. Cannabis Council, noted that Trump’s endorsement is evidence of a “political realignment” on cannabis reform. He suggested Trump’s position could encourage more Republicans to embrace legalization, as polls show widespread voter support for reform. A Pew Research poll earlier this year indicated that 88% of respondents favored legalizing marijuana for recreational or medical use, up from 68% in 2022.
However, the campaign for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris expressed skepticism, accusing Trump of pandering to voters. Harris’ spokesperson, Joseph Costello, pointed to Trump’s previous opposition to marijuana reform during his presidency, including his crackdown on nonviolent marijuana offenses and resistance to safe banking legislation.
“Donald Trump does not actually believe in marijuana reform, but the American people are smart enough to see through his campaign lies,” Costello said.
While Harris has yet to prominently feature marijuana reform in her campaign, her track record as a U.S. senator and California attorney general has positioned her as an ally to the cause. She has voiced support for broad cannabis reforms and convened a White House roundtable in March to discuss marijuana legalization.
Trump’s statement could pressure Republicans in Congress to follow suit, potentially narrowing the policy gap between the two parties on this increasingly popular issue.
Reference
Trump’s backing of marijuana reform marks a departure from his previous “law and order” stance and could signal a broader Republican realignment on cannabis policy. His statement also expressed support for federal legislation that would ease banking restrictions for state-legal marijuana businesses and reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law.
Josh Glasstetter, spokesperson for the U.S. Cannabis Council, noted that Trump’s endorsement is evidence of a “political realignment” on cannabis reform. He suggested Trump’s position could encourage more Republicans to embrace legalization, as polls show widespread voter support for reform. A Pew Research poll earlier this year indicated that 88% of respondents favored legalizing marijuana for recreational or medical use, up from 68% in 2022.
However, the campaign for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris expressed skepticism, accusing Trump of pandering to voters. Harris’ spokesperson, Joseph Costello, pointed to Trump’s previous opposition to marijuana reform during his presidency, including his crackdown on nonviolent marijuana offenses and resistance to safe banking legislation.
“Donald Trump does not actually believe in marijuana reform, but the American people are smart enough to see through his campaign lies,” Costello said.
While Harris has yet to prominently feature marijuana reform in her campaign, her track record as a U.S. senator and California attorney general has positioned her as an ally to the cause. She has voiced support for broad cannabis reforms and convened a White House roundtable in March to discuss marijuana legalization.
Trump’s statement could pressure Republicans in Congress to follow suit, potentially narrowing the policy gap between the two parties on this increasingly popular issue.
Reference
