As cannabis consumers navigate this never-ending campaign cycle, it's no wonder they feel the need for more liberal cannabis policies.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump recently announced that he would personally vote to legalize recreational marijuana use. President Trump said in a post on Truth Social:
As a Floridian, I will vote yes on Amendment 3 this November.
The Third Amendment allows “adults 21 years of age or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for personal consumption other than for medical purposes.” It would also allow medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed entities to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell and distribute such products and accessories. The Third Amendment also establishes personal use possession limits, allowing possession of up to 3 ounces and even up to 5 grams of concentrates.
So what does that mean for the country more broadly? Apparently Trump is more than just a personal fan. In the same post, he spoke more broadly about his personal views and gave insight into how friendly his administration is to those in the cannabis industry. President Trump said:
As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical use of marijuana for Schedule 3 drugs and support common-sense legislation such as safe banking for state-chartered businesses and support for states' rights to pass marijuana laws. We will work with Congress to pass the bill. Like Florida, it's working very well for the people.
Trump further emphasized this in the interview. He described medical cannabis as “amazing.”
Indeed, President Trump seems to recognize that this is a political issue that has significant support from the American people. He acknowledged that it is difficult to oppose marijuana legislation, especially in an election year.
President Trump has touted tough drug policies, but he is certainly not ready to agree to carte blanche legalization. He has made it clear that legalizing marijuana should be done in a “safe manner” with regulations and age limits. President Trump has also expressed concern about the presence of marijuana in public places and potential safety issues.
He was more cautious about what he did regarding psychedelics. President Trump remained silent when psychedelics were mentioned in a recent interview, choosing instead to laugh when interviewer Rex Friedman raised the idea that Congress would feel better if he took psychedelics. We can't help but notice that President Trump has a more liberal view of substances like marijuana. It's hard to see how this is a negative sign of what the Trump administration is like for those in the psychedelic industry.
I doubt that the second Trump administration will push for large-scale psychedelic reform, but if the first Trump administration is any guide, I don't think he will stand in the way of thoughtful, science-based reform efforts. do not have. And that's probably the biggest takeaway for psychedelic advocates trying to appeal to either candidate. It should focus on the science and medicinal benefits rather than the recreational aspects. When it comes to federal legalization of psychedelics, there is a good chance that marijuana will be the gateway drug, but the psychedelic industry believes it is best to move intentionally for now.
