Kamala Harris and Marijuana Legalization
10/04/2024
As a former Senator, presidential candidate and current Vice President, Kamala Harris has a long history of supporting marijuana reforms. She has advocated for legalization and the expungement of nonviolent marijuana-related offenses. But in the lead-up to the 2024 election, her stance on the issue appears more ambiguous than it has in the past.
Harris’ advocacy for marijuana reform is evident from her 2019 introduction of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, and her participation in an administration that has issued thousands of pardons for marijuana possession. However, her current campaign has not prominently featured marijuana legalization. Despite public endorsements of marijuana reform, such as her statement that no one should go to jail for smoking weed, Harris has been quieter on the issue in the context of her 2024 bid for office.
While the Biden administration has taken significant steps, including beginning the process of reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, Harris’ position on further reforms remains unclear. Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed uncertainty about her current priorities. Representative Jim Himes and Senator John Fetterman both noted they were unsure about Harris’ stance. In contrast, others, like Rep. Earl Blumenauer, believe her past record is sufficient to understand her position, arguing that Harris' support for marijuana reform remains consistent.
The political stakes for Harris on this issue are considerable. Marijuana legalization is increasingly popular, with a 2023 Gallup poll showing 70% of Americans in favor of legalizing the drug. Former President Donald Trump has even signaled support for legalization efforts in Florida, a departure from past GOP orthodoxy.
While Harris' potential approach to marijuana policy remains uncertain, her past advocacy suggests she may pursue further reforms if elected. Whether or not this becomes a focal point of her campaign remains to be seen.
Reference
Harris’ advocacy for marijuana reform is evident from her 2019 introduction of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, and her participation in an administration that has issued thousands of pardons for marijuana possession. However, her current campaign has not prominently featured marijuana legalization. Despite public endorsements of marijuana reform, such as her statement that no one should go to jail for smoking weed, Harris has been quieter on the issue in the context of her 2024 bid for office.
While the Biden administration has taken significant steps, including beginning the process of reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, Harris’ position on further reforms remains unclear. Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed uncertainty about her current priorities. Representative Jim Himes and Senator John Fetterman both noted they were unsure about Harris’ stance. In contrast, others, like Rep. Earl Blumenauer, believe her past record is sufficient to understand her position, arguing that Harris' support for marijuana reform remains consistent.
The political stakes for Harris on this issue are considerable. Marijuana legalization is increasingly popular, with a 2023 Gallup poll showing 70% of Americans in favor of legalizing the drug. Former President Donald Trump has even signaled support for legalization efforts in Florida, a departure from past GOP orthodoxy.
While Harris' potential approach to marijuana policy remains uncertain, her past advocacy suggests she may pursue further reforms if elected. Whether or not this becomes a focal point of her campaign remains to be seen.
Reference
