Trump Backs Marijuana Reform, Aligning with Biden Administration

In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump has expressed support for easing federal marijuana restrictions, aligning himself with the Biden administration's ongoing efforts. This shift in policy stance could have significant implications for the 2024 presidential election and the cannabis industry.

On September 8, 2024, Trump posted on social media endorsing Florida's ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana for adults. He stated, "As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws."

This announcement marks a notable change from Trump's previous administration, which took a hard-line stance against marijuana. Jeff Sessions, Trump's former attorney general, had reestablished legal guidance allowing federal prosecutors to pursue cannabis crimes in states where the drug is legal.

Currently, recreational marijuana is legal in 24 states and the District of Columbia. The Biden administration has been working towards reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III controlled substance, removing it from the Schedule I category that includes heroin and LSD. This rescheduling would place marijuana in the same category as prescription drugs such as ketamine and anabolic steroids.

Trump's support for marijuana reform aligns with several interesting facts:

• Marijuana was first federally prohibited in the United States in 1937.
• The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug.
• California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996.
• Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012.
• The global legal marijuana market was valued at $17.5 billion in 2019.

The proposed rescheduling could boost profits for the marijuana industry by allowing companies to claim federal tax deductions. It would also facilitate research into marijuana's health benefits and potentially provide cannabis companies access to banking services.

Lee Hannah, a professor of political science at Wright State University, commented on the political implications of Trump's announcement: "You could view it as Trump definitely trying to court young voters and young men."

However, Trump's stance has faced criticism from some members of his party. In July 2024, 23 GOP lawmakers urged the administration to withdraw the rescheduling proposal, arguing that it was not properly researched.

"This is election-year politics at its worst."

On the Democratic side, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), founder of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, stated that Trump's support should be "a powerful signal to the rest of the Republican Party."

The marijuana industry has welcomed Trump's support. David Culver, vice president of the U.S. Cannabis Council, said, "We believe cannabis reform is a winning issue."

As the debate continues, it's worth noting some additional facts about marijuana:

• CBD, a non-psychoactive compound in marijuana, was legalized federally in the 2018 Farm Bill.
• The SAFE Banking Act, allowing cannabis businesses access to banking services, has been introduced multiple times in Congress.
• Marijuana remains illegal under federal law despite state legalizations.
• The FDA has approved only one CBD-based drug, Epidiolex, for certain types of epilepsy.
• Canada legalized recreational marijuana nationwide in 2018.

With both major party candidates now supporting marijuana reform, the 2024 election could mark a turning point in federal cannabis policy. As the December 2, 2024 DEA hearing on proposed rescheduling approaches, the outcome of this issue remains uncertain and could significantly impact the future of marijuana legislation in the United States.