Unpacking the Cannabis Debate: Tracing the Policies of Trump and Harris
As cannabis policies further infiltrate the American political landscape, the stance of top-level figures in the White House becomes of growing importance. With neither the incumbent, Trump, nor the Vice Presidential contender, Harris, appearing to pose a risk to the flourishing cannabis industry, it heralds an interesting new era for marijuana enthusiasts. For the first time since marijuana gained popularity with American voters, a spirited debate unfolds amongst stakeholders around which of the two would accelerate marijuana reforms forward.
Unpacking Trump’s Policy Stance
Trump’s stance on cannabis has been relatively muted, choosing to focus on other issues that resonate more with his voter base. However, it is worth noting that during his term, there have been no concrete actions to disrupt the progress that the cannabis industry has made thus far. Furthermore, Trump advocates for states’ rights to establish their own cannabis policies.
Harris’ Role in the Cannabis Evolution
On the other hand, Harris’ history with cannabis regulation presents a more intricate picture. As District Attorney for San Francisco and later as California’s Attorney General, Harris maintained a firm stance against marijuana legalization. However, she pivoted drastically in 2018, co-sponsoring the progressive Marijuana Justice Act which aimed to decriminalize cannabis and expunge related convictions nationwide. Also, during her own presidential campaign in 2019, Harris promised to legalize marijuana.
Who gets the green light?
To answer the question of who is more likely to push marijuana reforms forward, we need to delve into the current political climate and deeply-held party beliefs.
- Trump: As stated earlier, Trump’s position leans towards allowing states to pursue their cannabis policies. However, it is important to mention that he hasn’t made any significant overtures to further decriminalize its use nationally. Moreover, the Republican party’s hard stance against cannabis might impact his ability to push reforms.
- Harris: On this front, Harris seems to hold an edge. Her past advocacy for decriminalizing marijuana and expunging related convictions aligns with the Democratic party’s stance on cannabis reforms. As such, she may be in a stronger position to catalyze these reforms.
Ultimately, however, the path forward in cannabis reform will be largely informed by the collective stance of the party in power and the views of key players within it. In addition, the ongoing public perception about cannabis use will also continue to drive legislation.
Access to medical marijuana cards in the US differs by state, which directly ties into the decentralization championed by Trump. Cannabis users looking for information on how to obtain medical marijuana cards can refer to California’s medical marijuana card guideline on MMJ.com. The platform provides guidelines both for new patients and renewals, aiding stakeholders to navigate amidst the political debates and legislative reforms.
As the marijuana landscape continues to evolve under the influence of emerging political and social trends, it’s encouraging to note that neither candidate poses a threat to the existing progress of the cannabis industry. The spirited debate between stakeholders underscores the significant strides made in cannabis awareness and paves the way for further reforms, irrespective of who the Cannabis Champion is.
