Harris Campaign Accuses Trump of ‘Pandering’ to Cannabis Users

Kamala Harris Campaign Criticizes Trump’s Support for Florida Marijuana Ballot Measure, Calling It “Blatant Pandering”

Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has criticized former President Donald Trump for his recent support of Florida’s marijuana legalization ballot measure, accusing him of “blatant pandering.” The criticism follows a statement from Trump on Truth Social, where he expressed his intention to vote in favor of the amendment that would legalize marijuana in Florida if it passes.

Trump’s Support for Cannabis Legalization in Florida

Late Sunday night, Trump shared his thoughts on the upcoming Florida marijuana amendment, emphasizing the need for reform regarding cannabis-related arrests. In his post, Trump advocated for the legalization of marijuana, arguing that it is time to end the criminalization of adults for small amounts of the drug.

“As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” Trump wrote. “We must also implement smart regulations while providing access for adults to safe, tested product.”

This endorsement of marijuana reform comes as Florida voters are set to decide on the legalization measure in an upcoming election. Trump’s statement, positioning himself in favor of the amendment, is seen by some as an appeal to voters in a state where cannabis reform is gaining traction.

Kamala Harris Campaign Fires Back

In response, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign did not hold back. Joseph Costello, a spokesperson for Harris’s campaign, criticized Trump for what they viewed as an inconsistent record on marijuana reform. In a statement on Monday, Costello argued that Trump’s newfound support for legalization in Florida contradicts his actions as president.

“Despite his blatant pandering, Donald Trump cannot paper over his extensive record of dragging marijuana reform backward,” Costello stated. “As president, Trump cracked down on nonviolent marijuana offenses – undermining state legalization laws, opposed safe banking legislation, and even tried to remove protections for medical marijuana.”

The Harris campaign accused Trump of not truly believing in marijuana reform and of using the issue to win favor with voters without demonstrating a commitment to meaningful policy change. They point to Trump’s record during his presidency as evidence that he has not consistently supported cannabis legalization or reform efforts.

Trump’s Promises for Further Reform

Despite the criticism, Trump doubled down on his support for marijuana reform in his post. He promised that if re-elected in November, he would continue to push for marijuana policy changes. This includes reclassifying marijuana to a Schedule III drug, which would make it easier to study and regulate. Trump also expressed support for passing safe banking laws that would allow state-authorized cannabis businesses to access financial services, an issue that has been a significant obstacle for the industry.

“As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common-sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states’ rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens,” Trump said.

Biden’s Cannabis Reform Efforts

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has been actively working on marijuana reform, particularly in regard to the rescheduling of the drug. Earlier this year, the Biden administration took steps to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug, the category reserved for substances with no medical use and a high potential for abuse, to Schedule III, which would recognize its potential for medical applications.

“This is monumental. Today, my administration took a major step to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. It’s an important move toward reversing long-standing inequities,” Biden said in a statement when the process was announced.

However, despite these efforts, Biden has faced criticism for not fulfilling his 2020 campaign promise to fully decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. While the rescheduling process is a step forward, federal marijuana reform remains a challenge under the current administration, as Congress has not yet passed comprehensive legislation to decriminalize or legalize the drug.

The Debate Continues

The differing approaches to marijuana reform by Trump and Biden have highlighted the complexities of cannabis policy in the U.S. While both have made promises regarding marijuana legalization, their actions and proposals have sparked debates about the sincerity of their commitments and the effectiveness of their policies.

As Florida voters prepare to weigh in on the marijuana legalization measure, the issue of cannabis reform remains a key topic in both state and national politics. With Trump’s endorsement of the measure and Harris’s campaign accusing him of pandering, marijuana reform is set to be a contentious issue in the upcoming election.