Trump Takes Lead on Cannabis Reform, While Harris Campaign Remains Silent on Marijuana Legalization

As former President Donald Trump signals newfound support for cannabis reform, Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent campaign materials are notably silent on the issue, creating a stark contrast in the 2024 race. Trump, who once supported harsh anti-drug policies, has now embraced the federal rescheduling of marijuana, aligning himself with growing public support for legalization. Meanwhile, Harris, who has previously advocated for comprehensive marijuana reform, has not addressed the issue in her campaign’s newly launched platform page.

Trump’s Shift Toward Cannabis Reform

Trump’s evolving stance on cannabis has surprised many, especially given his administration’s previous opposition to reform. Over the past few weeks, Trump has publicly endorsed several key cannabis measures, including federal rescheduling and the ability for state-legal cannabis businesses to access banking services. This culminated in a post on his Truth Social platform where he expressed support for the Biden administration’s move to reschedule marijuana.

Furthermore, Trump has endorsed Florida’s Amendment 3, which would legalize marijuana for recreational use in the state. Trump, a Florida resident, confirmed he would vote in favor of the measure this November, marking a significant break from his previously hardline stance on drug policy. In a recent interview, Trump stated that legalization would be “very good” for Florida and acknowledged the medical benefits of cannabis, signaling a major shift for the former president.

Harris Campaign Omits Marijuana Reform

In contrast to Trump’s recent vocal support for marijuana legalization, Vice President Kamala Harris has been noticeably quiet on the issue. The Harris campaign recently launched a comprehensive issues page outlining her platform on a range of topics, including health care, education, and affordable housing. However, despite Harris’ past record on cannabis reform, the page makes no mention of marijuana policy.

This absence has raised questions among cannabis advocates, particularly given Harris’ prior sponsorship of a bill to end federal prohibition during her time in the Senate. As a prosecutor in California, Harris had a complex relationship with drug policy, focusing heavily on prosecuting traffickers but later evolving to support harm reduction measures and cannabis decriminalization. During a roundtable event at the White House, she privately reaffirmed her support for legalization but has since remained silent on the issue in public statements.

Trump Seizes the Opportunity

Trump’s newfound embrace of cannabis reform appears to have opened up an opportunity for him to appeal to a key voting demographic—especially as polling shows a majority of Americans support legalization. The former president’s shift toward marijuana reform comes as he seeks to appeal to younger voters and Democrats who favor progressive drug policies. In several recent comments, Trump criticized Harris for her prosecutorial record on marijuana, accusing her of contributing to racially disproportionate incarceration rates.

This criticism from Trump, while misleading, has resonated with some voters. Trump has used his social media platform to attack Harris for imprisoning “thousands and thousands of Black people” for cannabis offenses, while positioning himself as more lenient on marijuana. His campaign has attempted to frame this as a “flip-flop” on Harris’ part, noting that she has largely avoided discussing marijuana reform since joining the Biden administration.

Harris Campaign’s Response

In response to Trump’s growing support for cannabis reform, the Harris campaign has sought to highlight the inconsistencies in his record. A memo from a senior campaign spokesperson accused Trump of “brazen flip-flops” on the issue, pointing to his former administration’s harsh drug policies, including the actions of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who rescinded the Obama-era guidelines that had encouraged a hands-off approach to state-legal cannabis operations.

“On issue after issue, Trump is saying one thing after having done another,” the Harris campaign memo reads. “As a candidate in 2024, he suggests he is for decriminalizing marijuana, but as president, his own Justice Department cracked down on marijuana offenses.”

While Harris has not yet prioritized cannabis policy reform on her campaign website, her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has a long history of supporting cannabis reform. Walz signed a bill to legalize marijuana in his state in 2023, and his presence on the ticket may suggest that the campaign could still address the issue moving forward.

Trump’s Engagement with Cannabis Industry Leaders

Trump’s shift toward cannabis reform has been bolstered by his meetings with key industry leaders. Last month, Trump met with the CEO of Trulieve Cannabis Corp., the largest donor to the Florida legalization campaign, signaling his increasing openness to the business side of the cannabis industry. This engagement with industry leaders has fueled speculation that Trump’s endorsement of cannabis reform is not only political but also a reflection of the growing influence of cannabis businesses in shaping public policy.

GOP political operative Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally and Florida resident, stated that if Trump officially endorses the state’s cannabis ballot measure, it would “guarantee victory.” Stone, who has been an outspoken advocate for cannabis legalization, believes Trump’s public support for the Florida initiative could have a decisive impact on the vote.

The Path Ahead for Cannabis Policy

As the 2024 campaign unfolds, Trump’s support for cannabis reform is likely to remain a focal point, especially as more states move toward legalization. While the former president has not yet fully embraced the concept of federal legalization, his recent statements suggest he is increasingly open to the idea of decriminalizing cannabis and allowing states to chart their own course.

Harris, on the other hand, faces growing pressure to clarify her stance on marijuana reform. Given the high level of public support for legalization, particularly among Democratic voters, her campaign may need to address the issue more explicitly in the coming months.

For now, Trump has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for cannabis reform, surprising many observers who remember his administration’s previous anti-drug stance. Whether this will translate into broader support remains to be seen, but it is clear that marijuana policy is becoming a significant issue in the 2024 race.