A few days ago, former President Donald Trump came out in favor of legalizing marijuana at a rally in Florida, and he was confident that voters would support the legalization initiative in the November election, saying, "I truly believe it's the right thing to do."
Trump's comments come at a time when public support for legalizing marijuana in the United States is at an all-time high, with about 78 percent of American adults supporting legalization, according to recent surveys. The economic impact of this shift is huge, with the cannabis industry currently estimated to employ about 500,000 people and generate $29 billion in sales in 2023, which is projected to grow to $37 billion by 2027.
The Harris campaign then accused the Trump campaign of "blatantly changing" its marijuana legalization policy on the eve of the election in an attempt to appeal to swing voters. Harris, on the other hand, claims to support reclassifying the regulation of marijuana, even legalizing it outright, and has implemented a massive amnesty program. Although she has been vice president for 4 years, legalization of marijuana has yet to materialize. Harris' report card on marijuana legalization reads "Not yet determined, but things are looking good." As many in the US industry believe,...... in terms of who will be better positioned to advance marijuana reform During her relatively quiet years as vice president, Harris campaigned aggressively for Biden's intergenerational progress on marijuana reform. Harris spearheaded the announcement that the Biden administration would pardon former federal marijuana offenders, issuing an executive order in October 2022 that ultimately led to the DOJ's proposal this spring to move marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act.
The potential impact on the 2024 presidential election
Trump's support for marijuana legalization could have implications for the 2024 presidential election, and by endorsing a hot issue that enjoys broad bipartisan support, Trump may be able to draw a broader base of voters to the polls, including younger and more progressive voters who have traditionally been skeptical of Republican candidates.
Appeal to young voters
Younger voters are more likely to support legalization of marijuana, which is crucial to Trump's campaign, and support for legalization of marijuana is likely to gain support from younger voters.
Broadening the Republican base
By supporting marijuana legalization, Trump may be able to broaden the Republican base and appeal to independent voters who prioritize social justice and economic reform.
Set the agenda
Trump's pro-marijuana stance could influence the Republican Party's broader agenda, pushing other candidates to adopt more up-to-date drug policies.
