Legalizing marijuana at the national level has been a topic of interest and debate among Americans for many years. According to a January Pew survey, 57% of people believe marijuana should be legal for both medical and recreational purposes, while 32% think it should only be legal for medical use. Only 11% of Americans believe marijuana should not be legal at all. This issue has largely been ignored by past presidents, but Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have both addressed it during the 2024 campaign.
Donald Trump, during his 2016 campaign, indicated that he was in favor of leaving the issue of marijuana legalization up to the states. He stated that it should be a state-by-state decision. As president, Trump’s administration maintained the federal prohibition of marijuana use. In his 2021 budget proposal, Trump suggested ending a federal policy that protected state medical marijuana programs from federal intervention.
In September, Trump expressed support for a Florida ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana use. He stated that he would vote for Amendment 3, which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for individuals 21 years and older in Florida. Trump emphasized the importance of ending unnecessary arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
Former first lady Melania Trump also announced that she and the former president planned to vote in Florida on Election Day. Additionally, Trump has voiced his support for continuing research on the medical uses of marijuana. He specifically mentioned wanting to unlock the medical potential of marijuana as a Schedule III drug. This classification would involve fewer restrictions compared to Schedule I drugs, which are deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Schedule III drugs, such as ketamine and certain opioid analgesics, have a lower potential for misuse but may still lead to psychological dependence. Trump’s advocacy for further research on marijuana’s medical benefits aligns with efforts to reclassify the drug to a less restrictive category. The Drug Enforcement Agency, under President Biden’s administration, announced plans to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
In his campaign for the 2024 election, Trump has made several statements regarding marijuana legalization and research. His support for leaving the issue to the states, voting in favor of recreational use in Florida, and continuing research on medical applications demonstrate his evolving stance on the topic. As the debate over marijuana legalization continues to gain traction in the United States, politicians like Trump and Harris play a crucial role in shaping the future of cannabis policy at the national level.
