Senator: Harris Will Sign Cannabis Reform Bills as President

Senator Predicts Harris Will Sign Cannabis Reform Bills if Elected President

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Democratic lawmakers are increasingly optimistic about the prospects for marijuana reform under a potential Harris-Walz administration. In a series of interviews at the Democratic National Convention, where Vice President Kamala Harris was ceremonially nominated as the party’s candidate, several senators expressed confidence that Harris would be ready to sign marijuana reform bills into law if she becomes president.

Harris’s Support for Cannabis Reform

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), a sponsor of a bipartisan marijuana banking bill, voiced his belief that Harris would strongly support cannabis reform. “If we can get these bills through, she’ll be ready to sign them,” Merkley told Marijuana Moment. His sentiments reflect a broader expectation among Democrats that a Harris administration would take significant steps toward federal cannabis legalization.

Potential Impact on State-Level Legalization

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) shared his prediction that a Harris-Walz administration would encourage more states to move forward with cannabis legalization. Wyden pointed out that public opinion on cannabis has evolved more quickly than federal legislation, and he believes that Harris’s presidency could help align congressional action with the will of the American people. “I have long felt that the Congress is lagging behind the American people,” he said.

The DNC Platform and Civil Liberties

Although the Democratic National Committee’s 2024 platform does not explicitly endorse decriminalization, Wyden still supports the party’s document due to its emphasis on civil liberties, which he believes extends to cannabis policy. The platform also highlights President Joe Biden’s efforts to pardon non-violent marijuana offenses and his directive to reschedule cannabis at the federal level.

Electoral Implications of Cannabis Rescheduling

Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) argued that if the Justice Department’s proposed cannabis rescheduling goes through, it would be “powerful electorally” for the Harris-Walz ticket. Schatz contrasted Harris’s clear stance on cannabis reform with former President Donald Trump’s inconsistent record, noting that voters “don’t have to wonder what Donald Trump would be like about marijuana,” given his previous administration’s actions.

The GOP Stance on Cannabis Reform

While Trump has recently suggested that he is open to decriminalization, Democratic lawmakers remain skeptical. Senator Schatz emphasized that Trump’s past appointments, including an attorney general who rescinded federal cannabis guidance, undermine his credibility on the issue. “The problem for Trump is that nobody believes him,” Schatz said, referencing the Republican nominee’s shifting positions.

Harris and Walz: A Promising Duo for Reform

Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA) expressed optimism about the potential for cannabis reform under a Harris-Walz administration, even if it is not at the top of their agenda. He highlighted their respective backgrounds as favorable indicators for reform. “I think the sky is the limit with those two,” Johnson said, adding that Harris and Walz would be on “the right side of public sector” when it comes to cannabis policy.

Democratic Lawmakers Call for Stronger Advocacy

Some Democratic members believe Harris should take an even stronger public stance on marijuana legalization. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) argued that supporting cannabis reform would not only benefit the Democratic party but also “be good for the world.” Meanwhile, Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) acknowledged that while cannabis reform may not be the central issue of the campaign, it remains “the right thing to do.”

Incremental Progress: The SAFER Banking Act

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) suggested that while broader reform would be beneficial, Congress should prioritize passing the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act. The legislation, which has previously advanced in the Senate, aims to provide banking services to cannabis-related businesses and could serve as an incremental step towards broader legalization.

Looking Ahead to November

As the election draws near, the contrasting cannabis policies of the two major candidates are becoming a focal point for voters. While the Harris-Walz campaign has yet to make a formal statement on marijuana policy, Harris’s past sponsorship of a comprehensive legalization bill and her consistent advocacy for reform suggest that significant changes could be on the horizon if she is elected.

In the meantime, all eyes are on Florida, where a recreational legalization measure will appear on the November ballot. Observers are eager to see how Trump, who is a resident of the state, will position himself on this issue in the final months of the campaign.

With public support for cannabis legalization at an all-time high, and with key battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin showing strong backing for reform, the outcome of the 2024 election could have profound implications for the future of marijuana policy in the United States.