Marijuana legalization is not as hot an issue in this election as abortion or immigration, but both presidential candidates, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, have exchanged opinions, marking the first time they see eye to eye.
However, both are missing a major point.
Last month, President Trump posted on the Truth social platform: “As I have stated previously, I believe it is time to end unnecessary arrests and incarceration of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use and access to safe and tested products. As Floridians, I will vote yes on Amendment 3 this November to make marijuana a Schedule 3 drug. We will continue to focus on research to unlock medical uses and work with Congress to pass common-sense legislation such as safe banking for state-chartered businesses and support for states' rights to pass marijuana laws. . Like Florida, it's working very well for the public.”
A Harris campaign spokesperson dismissed the move as “blatant pandering,” The Hill reported.
But on Monday, Harris spoke publicly about the issue for the first time since becoming the Democratic nominee.
“I think we're at a point where we have to understand that we need to legalize this behavior and stop criminalizing this behavior,” Harris said on the sports and culture podcast “All・The Smoke” said in an interview.
“I feel strongly that people shouldn't be sent to prison just for smoking marijuana. And we know historically what that means and who has been sent to prison.”
The vice president added that supporting marijuana legalization is “not a new position for me.” I have felt for a long time that it needs to be legalized. ”
Not completely.
As San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General, Harris aggressively prosecuted marijuana-related crimes. She also spoke out against Proposition 19, the failed 2010 California ballot initiative to legalize and regulate marijuana. She switched positions as a senator, co-sponsoring a bill to end federal marijuana prohibition.
Marijuana legalization has a positive impact among young voters, a demographic that both parties covet. But the question, “What happens after marijuana becomes legal and easily available?” is rarely asked or answered.
A 2022 study by the National Institutes of Health on traffic crash rates after cannabis legalization found that recreational marijuana use was associated with a 6.5% increase in injury crash rates and a 2.3% increase in fatal crash rates. It turns out.
Marijuana legalization may stimulate entrepreneurship and create jobs in the cannabis industry, but it is not without consequences. If both candidates are to advocate legalizing marijuana nationwide, they need strategies to reduce distracted driving and reduce marijuana-related accidents.
Winning voter support is one thing, but putting Americans at risk of harm from more drunk drivers is short-sighted and potentially deadly.
Editorial cartoon by Steve Breen (Creators Syndicate)
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