Staff Reports
A decision regarding whether marijuana should be reclassified as a less dangerous drug in the U.S. is not expected until after the November presidential election. This timeline could make it a spicy hot button topic in a race that is anything but dull. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has set a hearing date for December 2 to discuss the proposed changes, which means the outcome could land in the lap of the next administration, rather than being swiftly addressed before Inauguration Day, which is a situation both sides of the aisle likely wish to avoid.
This change in classification could put presidential candidates in the crosshairs of public opinion on marijuana management, especially considering Vice President Kamala Harris’ evolving stance. Once a hardliner in her role as California Attorney General, Harris has turned full circle, now decrying marijuana’s current status as “absurd” and supporting its decriminalization. It’s as if she’s playing political hopscotch, hopping from one extreme to another while attempting to keep her footing in a world where drug policies are increasingly contentious.
A decision on a major policy shift on marijuana won't come until after the presidential election
A decision on whether to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the U.S. won’t come until after the November presidential election
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration… pic.twitter.com/J8PZ3pcILE
— Cannabis Seed Bank of ME • R&D (@SeedBankME) September 3, 2024
On the other side of the aisle stands former President Donald Trump, who is busy signaling support for Florida’s legalization measure—because apparently, it’s a real “state’s rights” issue now. Trump has claimed to favor letting the states decide, although during his first term, he seemed more enthusiastic about cracking down. Mix in the fact that his campaign has skirted around the idea of rescheduling marijuana and it’s clear he’s well aware of the audience he needs to charm for the upcoming election.
The Justice Department has suggested that reclassifying marijuana would better acknowledge its medical uses while recognizing it has less potential for abuse compared to substances that make parents shudder in horror—like heroin and LSD. The Biden administration has pitched this move as monumental, but as they prepare to potentially throw their fingers up in the air after the election results, it seems like the real winner might just be the cannabis lobby who longs for a federal green light.
Opposition remains, notably from organizations such as Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which argue against hasty moves based on insufficient data. By their account, the DEA’s hearing is a triumph of medical science over the whims of political agendas. So, while some in the marijuana industry are biting their nails over the timeline, hoping this doesn’t become just another protracted political saga, a growing number of lawmakers across both parties are realizing that an evolving public perception of marijuana may demand action sooner rather than later.
With a whopping 70% of adults now in favor of legalization according to recent polls, and 38 states having already legalized medical cannabis, the tide is turning. If reclassification becomes a reality, it could bring significant tax relief to the burgeoning marijuana industry. But amid all this political maneuvering, one can’t help but wonder if those who actually rely on medical marijuana are getting lost in the shuffle while candidates chase their votes.
The likely muted impact on the criminal justice system following rescheduling seems to be overshadowed by the looming question: will politicians prioritize public health and safety or will they keep riding the wave of whatever seems most favorable to voters? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure—marijuana will remain a key issue that could alter the trajectory of the upcoming race.
