Contributor: Eric Bloom
In the midst of a bustling election season, cannabis advocates are holding their breath. This year, 2020, could be groundbreaking. As more and more states adopt pro-cannabis laws, it becomes increasingly likely that the federal government will follow suit. What used to sound like a stoner dream is now trembling on the verge of reality. Voters are clamoring for change, they want pro-marijuana candidates.
By and large, Democrats are embracing the trend. Almost every progressive on the national stage endorses a coherent marijuana strategy. Many support complete legalization. A CBS News poll found that “49% of people 65 and older supported legalization; the number jumped to 72% for people ages 18-34. The poll found that 56% of Republicans supported legalization compared with 72% of Democrats.”
So many Americans now want legal cannabis, it’s surprising that it’s taking so long for Washington D.C. to catch up. According to Rachel Gillette, a cannabis activist and attorney: “People from both parties are just thinking, ‘Duh, we should be legalizing this at the federal level… It would be great if they could focus on this. It’s time.”
After four years of President Trump, the U.S. might elect a new president this time around. The Democratic primary is still underway, so it’s not clear who will be the nominee. However, there are two clear frontrunners.
SEE ALSO: New To Marijuana? Here’s How Cannabis Can Alter Your Mental State
Joe Biden
The former Vice President is not as enthusiastic about cannabis as his opponents.
So far, he’s expressed support for removing cannabis from the Schedule 1 controlled substances list, and expunging misdemeanor cannabis-related offenses. However, he stops short at federal legalization, preferring to leave the matter to state policy.
His plan represents an improvement in the status quo, but it’s milder than many people wish.
Queen Adesuyi, national affairs policy coordinator for Drug Policy Action, explains that: “Supporting legalization is no longer enough… There’s a large segment of the public that purely cares about marijuana. And then there’s other people who come to the table principled by the concept that mass incarceration is destroying lives and destroying communities.”
Many activists believe that new cannabis laws should reflect the undue burden the war on drugs put on minorities. Multiple state programs have special provisions to help these people enter the
cannabis industry. Biden has not expressed any intention of adopting such plans on a federal level.
“Biden has been unapologetic for where we are in this country over prohibition. He is so far behind the tide it’s embarrassing,” Adesuyi said. “What Biden is proposing is garbage. His position on this is intended to mitigate the fact that he is a drug warrior.”
SEE ALSO: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Cannabis Sickness
Bernie Sanders
If you care about legalizing weed, you’ll love Bernie Sanders. Not only does the Vermont senator promote federal legalization in 2020, but he also plans to make a move on his first day in office.
“We will end the destructive war on drugs,” he promised at a recent rally. “On my first day in office through executive order we will legalize marijuana in every state in this country.”
Is it likely that he’ll actually be able to do this? Probably not. There are a bunch of different laws, both federal and international, that will be affected. In addition, the President can’t do much to oppose local laws. States that criminalize cannabis would still be able to enforce their laws. Still, Sanders’ enthusiasm is refreshing to many. He’s made it clear that his proposed marijuana policy is more progressive than Biden’s.
“We will move forward to expunge the records of those arrested for possession of marijuana,” Sanders said. “And we will make certain that the legalized marijuana industry is not controlled by a handful of corporations but that those people—the African-American community, the Latino community, the Native American community—those people who have suffered the most, will get help in order to make money through a legalized marijuana industry.”
There’s enough bipartisan support for these measures that there’s a good chance Sanders could successfully get these bills through Congress.
Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard is the final contender still in the race. She’s trailing Biden and Sanders in the delegate count so badly, that experts say it’s impossible for her to win at this point without one (or both) of them dropping out of the race. However, there are no guarantees in politics. Gabbard is unlikely to secure the Democratic nomination, but she could potentially join the ticket as the nominee for vice president.
Gabbard endorses a plan even more progressive than Sanders’. She explained in January that she supports legalizing all drugs. “If we take that step to legalize and regulate, then we’re no longer treating people who are struggling with substance addiction and abuse as criminals and, instead, getting them the help that they need,” she said.
“The costs and the consequence to this failed war on drugs is so vast and far-reaching, socially and fiscally, that if we take these necessary steps, we’ll be able to solve a lot of other problems that we’re dealing with in this country.”
It’s a startling position for a mainstream American politician.
Voices calling for decriminalization, rather than legalization, have barely gained traction. Gabbard’s view puts her to the left of most Americans. However, public opinion is rapidly changing.
SEE ALSO: Beginner’s Guide: How Long Will Your Marijuana Last?
Conclusion
Cannabis is still listed as a Schedule 1 drug. It’s still federally illegal. Yet, if you support Democrats, and care about legalizing cannabis, you have a lot of reasons to feel hopeful. 2020 could be the year that the U.S sees a truly pro-cannabis president sitting in the White House.
In the meantime, cannabis is legal in some form or another in most states. Pressure is building on the few holdouts. Even if federal classification changes are sluggish, millions of people now have safe, legal access to cannabis. And that’s something to celebrate.
