President Joe Biden is taking steps to appeal to younger voters, a key demographic for his reelection campaign. One of these moves includes reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a proposal supported by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Biden has also pardoned thousands of Americans convicted federally of simple possession of marijuana and called for governors and local leaders to take similar actions to erase marijuana convictions. This shift in policy is in response to the changing attitudes towards marijuana legalization in the country, with a majority of voters supporting recreational use of the drug.
In an effort to further connect with younger voters, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris publicly expressed their support for marijuana law reform on the 4/20 cannabis holiday. This demonstrates the administration’s continued focus on this issue leading up to the November election. However, Biden’s stance on marijuana has faced criticism from opponents, including former top DEA officials who argue that today’s marijuana is more potent and could lead to harmful side effects. Despite the pushback, Biden hopes that his lenient stance on pot will help rally younger voters and progressive members of his party.
The politics of marijuana legalization are favorable for Biden, with strong support among Democrats, independents, and younger voters. He has already issued pardons for federal marijuana possession and commuted sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, urging governors to do the same for state offenses. The growing acceptance of marijuana in the country has led to 38 states legalizing medical marijuana and 24 approving its recreational use, fueling a booming industry with estimated annual sales of $25 billion. Easing federal regulations could further benefit the industry by reducing tax burdens and facilitating research on marijuana.
Despite the positive reception to Biden’s efforts to reform marijuana laws, there are concerns about the impact of legalization, especially in terms of public health and safety. Former DEA officials and critics argue that the potency of modern marijuana poses risks of psychosis and anxiety. Biden’s shift in policy also reflects a broader changing attitude towards drug legalization, with former President Donald Trump’s views on marijuana remaining unclear. However, as federal drug policy evolves, it is clear that marijuana reform will continue to be a significant issue for voters and policymakers alike.
