Mike Tyson Urges Trump to Act on Cannabis Reform

LOS ANGELES- Boxing legend Mike Tyson, alongside athletes including Kevin Durant and Dez Bryant, has urged former President Donald Trump to pursue federal cannabis reform after accusing President Joe Biden of failing to deliver on earlier promises. Tyson described cannabis as a “medicine” essential to his well‑being and criticized its Schedule I classification as “just ridiculous,” drawing a sharp distinction between cannabis and substances such as heroin. In a letter from the “Coalition of Athletes and Entertainers Supporting President Trump’s Policy Objectives,” the group called for clemency for nonviolent cannabis offenses, rescheduling of the substance to Schedule III, and removal of banking barriers that currently prevent over 500,000 cannabis businesses from accessing financial services.

The coalition pointed to what it described as Biden’s last-minute rejection of nearly all pending cannabis-related clemency requests, characterizing the inaction as a betrayal of reform promises. Tyson also emphasized the economic benefits of the cannabis sector and advocated legal protections to distinguish regulated markets from illicit sources. The group argues that rescheduling would align federal policy with widespread state-level legalization, stimulate research and innovation, and support safe banking and financial inclusion.