WASHINGTON, D.C. — As speculation swirls around President Joe Biden’s potential successors, a common thread emerges: support for cannabis reform. Several high-profile Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer, have expressed varying degrees of openness to advancing marijuana legislation.
Vice President Kamala Harris, a leading contender, has been vocal about her views on cannabis. During her presidential campaign, Harris pledged to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and expunge prior convictions. As a senator, she co-sponsored the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which aimed to deschedule cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been a longtime advocate for cannabis reform. In 2016, he supported the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which legalized recreational marijuana in the state. Despite challenges such as excessive taxes and regulations that have hindered the growth of California’s regulated cannabis market, Newsom’s commitment to the industry has remained steadfast.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also demonstrated support for cannabis. Under her leadership, Michigan’s regulated marijuana industry has flourished, recently surpassing California’s in size. This growth highlights the strength of the legal market in the Great Lakes State.
While these potential successors have shown varying levels of support for cannabis reform, their openness to the issue contrasts with the stance of some Republicans. Former Attorney General Bill Barr, perceived as a Trump Administration surrogate, has spoken out against rescheduling marijuana, raising concerns about the potential rollback of Biden-era reforms.
The cannabis industry and advocates eagerly await further clarity on how these potential successors would approach marijuana policy if elected. As the Democratic Party navigates the path forward, the support for cannabis reform among the potential candidates could shape the future of federal cannabis legislation.
