Biden Campaign Criticizes Trump Administration’s Cannabis Policy Reversal

The Biden reelection campaign has launched a scathing critique of the Trump administration’s decision to rescind Justice Department guidance that advocated for discretion in federal cannabis prosecutions.

Vice President Harris Spotlights Administration’s Pardons

Vice President Kamala Harris recently convened a White House roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform, focusing on recent pardon recipients who were granted clemency for drug-related convictions. This event highlighted President Joe Biden’s commitment to mass cannabis pardons and stood in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s approach to criminal justice reform.

Contrasting Records on Criminal Justice

The Biden-Harris campaign underscored the stark differences between their initiatives and the policies of former President Donald Trump. They highlighted various criminal justice reform actions while criticizing the failures of the previous administration.

Trump Administration’s Rollback on Cannabis Reform

The campaign email specifically pointed out the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw guidelines that limited prosecutions of cannabis offenses legal under state laws. This move, initiated by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, overturned the Obama-era Cole memo, which outlined federal cannabis enforcement priorities.

Omission of Updated Cannabis Guidance

While the Biden campaign criticized the prior administration’s action, it also noted the lack of reissued cannabis guidance under the current administration. Despite promises from Attorney General Merrick Garland to address the issue, no updated policy has been issued, leaving Americans in legal uncertainty.

Democratic Lawmakers Demand Action

Democratic lawmakers voiced their frustration in a letter to Garland, labeling the delay in reissuing federal cannabis enforcement guidance as “unacceptable” and leaving Americans in a legal limbo despite promises to update the policy.

Leveraging Cannabis Reform Ahead of the Election

The Biden campaign’s focus on cannabis reform reflects its strategy to leverage popular issues ahead of the November election. Both Biden and Harris have actively promoted marijuana policy reform on social media and during significant events like the State of the Union address.

Campaign’s Stance on Criminal Justice

The Biden-Harris campaign emphasized its commitment to criminal justice reform, contrasting it with the policies of the Trump administration. They highlighted initiatives such as mass cannabis pardons as evidence of their dedication to second chances for nonviolent drug offenders.

Statement from Biden-Harris Campaign Spokesperson

James Singer, a spokesperson for the Biden-Harris campaign, emphasized the clear contrast in approach, stating, “On criminal justice, the contrast couldn’t be clearer: while Trump talks about pardoning January 6th rioters and celebrating violence, Vice President Harris and President Biden are giving a second chance to people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.”

The Biden campaign’s critique of the Trump administration’s cannabis policy reversal underscores the significance of cannabis reform in the current political landscape. As the election approaches, the campaign is positioning itself as a champion of criminal justice reform, drawing a clear contrast with the policies of the previous administration.