JD Vance’s Fentanyl-Cannabis Remarks Spark Kamala Debate

JD Vance Says There’s Fentanyl in Cannabis ‘Teenagers Are Using,’ Raising Eyebrows in Trump Campaign

JD Vance, the running mate of former President Donald Trump, made headlines during a speech at the Milwaukee Police Association’s headquarters in Wisconsin on Friday. Vance claimed that fentanyl-laced marijuana is becoming widespread, a statement that quickly garnered attention and criticism. During his remarks, Vance also took aim at Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, criticizing her record on crime and law enforcement.

Vance Criticizes Kamala Harris on Law Enforcement and Border Policies

Vance began his speech by attacking Vice President Kamala Harris’s record on crime, suggesting that her policies have made it more difficult for law enforcement to do their jobs. “We need a president, Donald J. Trump, who makes their job easier and not harder. We’ve got to cut out with the anti-law enforcement craziness,” Vance said. He further criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to border security, laying the blame for the opioid crisis, Mexican cartel activity, and the alleged presence of fentanyl in marijuana at Harris’s feet.

‘Drug Cartels Operating In Our Communities’

Vance linked the southern border policies to increased drug cartel activity in the U.S., even in states as far north as Wisconsin. “It means Mexican drug cartels operating in our communities. It means people dying of fentanyl,” Vance told the police union members. He went on to claim, “We’ve got fentanyl in our marijuana bags that our teenagers are using,” further raising concerns among the audience.

Fact-Checking Vance’s Claims

However, Vance’s assertion about fentanyl-laced marijuana has been met with skepticism. According to the Partnership to End Addiction, there is no solid evidence to support the claim that marijuana is being regularly laced with fentanyl. While the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported instances of fentanyl being mixed with other drugs, there have been no official alerts or warnings about its presence in marijuana. Given that approximately 55 million people in the U.S. use cannabis, experts suggest that overdose rates would be significantly higher if fentanyl were widespread in the marijuana supply. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl have been linked to nearly 70% of the estimated 107,543 overdose deaths in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Vance’s Stance on Cannabis Legalization

Vance’s position on cannabis legalization appears to align with a states’ rights approach, similar to that of Donald Trump. While serving as an Ohio congressman since 2022, Vance opposed the legalization of adult-use cannabis in his home state. However, after Ohio voters approved legalization in November 2023, Vance acknowledged the decision and stated that it should be respected as a state issue. “Allow it to be an Ohio issue,” Vance said during a local TV interview.

JD Vance’s remarks about fentanyl-laced marijuana and his criticism of Kamala Harris have sparked debate, with many questioning the accuracy of his claims. As the 2024 election season progresses, Vance’s comments highlight the ongoing tension surrounding drug policy and law enforcement in the United States.