Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s marijuana policy could impact the 2024 election
President Joe Biden has taken significant steps regarding marijuana that could affect the 2024 presidential election. The president has directed the Department of Health and Human Services to study the potential reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. This reclassification would place marijuana alongside prescription treatments such as testosterone and ketamine. Additionally, the Department of Justice has initiated the process of reclassifying marijuana, signaling the potential for rulemaking.
Is Biden’s big marijuana move a promise kept or an election ploy? – Washington Examiner https://t.co/ntx6fV5f1L
— Melanie (@MellieMAGA) May 3, 2024
These actions are seen by some as an attempt to regain support from young voters, a group that President Biden won by a large margin in the 2020 election. However, despite these efforts, support from young voters has been slipping, particularly due to concerns about the conflict in Gaza.
Critics of President Biden argue that the marijuana policy is a political move targeting young voters in advance of the election. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, however, maintains that the president is fulfilling his campaign promise to address the issue of marijuana. She emphasized that the president believes individuals should not be incarcerated for simple marijuana possession, as it disproportionately affects communities, including those of color.
Despite the criticism, Democratic operatives familiar with Biden’s campaign strategy hope that the marijuana policy will benefit the president in the election. They stress that the primary motivation for this action is to do what is right, as research has demonstrated the medical properties of cannabis.
On the other hand, a number of Republicans have criticized Biden’s proposal, with some viewing it as a purely political move. They argue that marijuana legalization is associated with increases in violent crime and a decline in workforce productivity. Some have also pointed out the history of Vice President Kamala Harris, who as a prosecutor, enforced marijuana laws. They believe this history contradicts the current administration’s stance on marijuana.
The stance on marijuana legalization could potentially play a role in the 2024 election, as polls have shown strong support for legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational use. Additionally, a number of critical battleground states have already legalized or decriminalized marijuana, and further changes at the federal level could have significant implications for marijuana-based businesses.
While it remains to be seen how the issue of marijuana will unfold in the 2024 election, it is clear that the president’s actions on this topic are being closely watched and analyzed.
