Biden campaign happy with DOJ rethinking marijuana; criticizes Trump for not doing more.
The Biden campaign issued a strong statement targeting former President Trump in response to the recent decision to relax federal restrictions on marijuana. President Biden himself announced this significant shift in marijuana policy through a video shared on social media, initiating the process to reclassify the drug from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III.
In his address, President Biden criticized Trump’s stance on marijuana, accusing him of endangering America’s youth and communities of color with his policies. Biden emphasized that the voters cannot afford to repeat the broken promises and failures of a potential second Trump term.
During his presidency, Donald Trump’s position on marijuana was somewhat unclear. While he indicated that marijuana policy should be determined at the state level, he also expressed reservations about related ballot initiatives, fearing they could benefit Democrats. Notably, Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill, legalizing hemp after decades of prohibition, and his administration dedicated resources to implement the reforms outlined in the bill.
The proposed reclassification of marijuana will now enter a 60-day public comment period after being published in the Federal Register. Following this phase, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will present the proposal to an administrative law judge for evaluation of evidence and recommendation, with the final decision resting with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Under the current drug scheduling system, Schedule I substances include heroin and ecstasy, while Schedule III includes ketamine and anabolic steroids, characterized by a lower potential for physical and psychological dependence, according to the DEA.
Despite not outright legalizing recreational marijuana use, the potential reclassification may resonate with young voters, a demographic where recent polls indicate Biden is facing challenges just months before the upcoming general election in November.
Recent research from Pew highlights a divide among Americans regarding the easing of marijuana restrictions. The report notes that 34% of conservative Republicans support legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes, contrasting with a 57% majority of moderate and liberal Republicans. On the Democratic side, 62% of conservative and moderate Democrats endorse legalizing marijuana for both uses, a sentiment echoed by 84% of liberal Democrats.
It is clear that the issue of marijuana policy remains a divisive one in American politics, with implications for public health, criminal justice, and social equity. As the debate continues to evolve, the upcoming decision on the reclassification of marijuana under the Biden administration is poised to have far-reaching consequences.
