Kamala Harris’ endorsement of cannabis legalisation, made during an appearance on All The Smoke, represents a pivotal shift in her campaign and positions her as one of the key figures advocating for cannabis reform in the United States. While Harris has supported decriminalisation in the past, her current stance is more assertive, calling for an end to cannabis criminalisation entirely. This significant statement signals that cannabis legalisation is no longer a peripheral issue but a central point in national political discourse, especially as both major-party candidates now support reform.
Harris’ Criminal Justice Approach
Kamala Harris has made it clear that her support for cannabis legalisation stems from her deep concern about the impact of criminalisation on marginalised communities. In her own words: “I just feel strongly people should not be going to jail for smoking weed.” This criminal justice angle is crucial because it reflects her focus on the racial disparities created by the war on drugs. African American and Latino communities have been disproportionately affected by cannabis laws, with higher arrest rates and harsher penalties. By supporting cannabis legalisation, Harris is advocating not just for the decriminalisation of a substance, but for the correction of long-standing racial injustices.
Harris’ support of cannabis legalisation contrasts sharply with her past as district attorney in San Francisco, where she prosecuted drug-related cases, including those involving cannabis. Her transformation from a prosecutor enforcing these laws to a senator advocating for reform marks a significant evolution, mirroring the national shift in attitudes toward cannabis. Despite her past, Harris now positions herself as a leader in addressing the long-term harms that cannabis criminalisation has wrought on communities of colour.
Trump vs. Harris: A Policy Divide
Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump now openly support cannabis reform, making it a unique issue in the 2024 election. However, their approaches diverge considerably. Trump’s recent statements on cannabis reform focus on rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This move would reclassify cannabis as a substance with lower potential for abuse, allowing for greater research and easing financial restrictions on cannabis businesses. His proposal also includes banking protections for cannabis businesses, addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: access to financial services.
While Trump’s approach is more industry-centric, Harris’ stance comes from a more justice-driven perspective. Rather than focusing on rescheduling or regulatory concerns, Harris’ rhetoric centres on rectifying the damage caused by decades of punitive drug laws. Her support for cannabis legalisation seeks to undo the harms that cannabis criminalisation has disproportionately inflicted on minority communities. She aims to address the racial inequalities in the justice system that have resulted from biased enforcement of cannabis laws.
Trump’s pro-business stance has generated excitement within the cannabis industry, as it suggests that under his administration, the financial and legal challenges facing cannabis companies might ease significantly. However, public health experts have raised concerns about this fast-tracked approach, cautioning that focusing solely on economic growth without sufficient regulatory oversight could pose risks. Harris, on the other hand, advocates for a more cautious, justice-focused framework that could lead to more thorough regulatory safeguards.
The Evolution of Harris’ Cannabis Policy
Harris’ stance on cannabis has evolved significantly over the years. In 2019, as a senator, she introduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which aimed to decriminalise cannabis at the federal level and expunge past cannabis-related convictions. While this was a step toward reform, her current endorsement of full legalisation represents a stronger commitment to cannabis reform.
Despite this evolution, critics argue that Harris has yet to outline a comprehensive cannabis policy as part of her 2024 presidential campaign. While her support for legalisation is clear, there are still unanswered questions regarding how her administration would approach the practicalities of federal legalisation. Would she push for rescheduling cannabis, like Trump? Would she prioritise expunging criminal records or focus on creating a regulatory framework to support cannabis businesses? These are key questions that voters and industry stakeholders will want answered as the campaign progresses.
The Impact of Federal Legalisation
Should Harris be elected and pursue full cannabis legalisation, the impact on the US could be profound. First, it would remove the federal-state legal discrepancies that currently plague the cannabis market. In states where cannabis is legal, businesses have been hampered by federal regulations that prevent them from accessing banking services and that limit research into cannabis’ medical benefits. Full legalisation would remove these barriers, creating a more cohesive national cannabis industry and potentially boosting the economy.
From a criminal justice perspective, federal legalisation under Harris could also mean the expungement of millions of cannabis-related convictions, which would provide relief to those disproportionately affected by cannabis laws. For many people of colour, cannabis convictions have hindered their ability to find employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Expungement would represent a significant step toward addressing these inequities and providing a path to economic and social mobility for those harmed by the war on drugs.
Social Equity and Economic Justice
Beyond legalisation, Harris is likely to focus on creating a cannabis industry that reflects principles of social equity. The cannabis market in the US has long been dominated by large corporations, leaving behind the communities most affected by cannabis criminalisation. Harris could introduce policies that prioritise minority-owned cannabis businesses and create economic opportunities for those previously harmed by drug laws.
In addition to supporting social equity in the cannabis industry, Harris is expected to advocate for reinvestment in communities affected by the war on drugs. Her 2019 MORE Act included provisions for funding community programmes focused on job training, legal aid, and education in communities disproportionately affected by drug enforcement. A future Harris administration would likely build on these proposals, ensuring that cannabis legalisation is not just about decriminalising a drug but also about repairing the social harm caused by prohibition.
Looking Forward: The Future of US Cannabis Reform
No matter who wins the 2024 election, it is clear that the future of cannabis reform is bright. With both major candidates supporting some form of cannabis legalisation or reform, the US is on the brink of a significant shift in drug policy. However, the nature of that reform will depend largely on the priorities of the next administration.
Under Trump, we can expect a more industry-friendly approach, focused on economic growth and easing regulatory restrictions for cannabis businesses. However, this approach could face criticism for not addressing the social and racial justice aspects of cannabis reform.
Under Harris, cannabis reform would likely be slower and more focused on social equity and justice. Full legalisation would likely come with provisions for expungement, minority business ownership, and community reinvestment, making her approach more holistic and justice-oriented.
Conclusion
Kamala Harris’ endorsement of cannabis legalisation is a major development in the ongoing push for federal cannabis reform. While her focus remains on addressing the injustices of the past, particularly the racial disparities caused by cannabis criminalisation, her position also signals a broader acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate policy issue in the US. Whether she will push for comprehensive federal legalisation or a more incremental approach remains to be seen, but what is clear is that cannabis reform is now firmly in the spotlight of the 2024 election.
As the election progresses, the cannabis industry and advocates for reform will be watching closely to see how Harris and Trump further develop their cannabis policies. One thing is certain: the future of cannabis legalisation in the US is no longer a question of if, but when and how.