Biden’s Pledge on Cannabis Reform Faces Scrutiny from Activists

LOS ANGELES- In a recent encounter with cannabis activists, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to reforming federal cannabis policy. However, activists argue that simply rescheduling cannabis is insufficient to address the harms caused by prohibition. During a campaign event in Wisconsin, Biden responded to a sign advocating against incarceration for cannabis offenses by asserting his commitment to addressing the issue, though specifics of his plan remain unclear.

Activists contend that true fulfillment of Biden’s promise requires removing cannabis entirely from the Controlled Substances Act. This stance is supported by Vice President Kamala Harris, who, during a roundtable discussion with Presidential pardon recipients, emphasized the need for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reschedule cannabis “as quickly as possible.” Following a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug, the DEA confirmed its ongoing evaluation. Yet, Harris reportedly expressed a more progressive stance in private, advocating for full legalization.

Chris Goldstein, a regional coordinator for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), shared Harris’s comments with Marijuana Moment, highlighting a growing push within the administration for comprehensive cannabis reform. Goldstein aims to use his influence to promote awareness of the Presidential pardon process and the urgent need for federal action beyond rescheduling.