Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged to legalize recreational cannabis at the federal level. In a campaign statement, Harris promised to "break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back by legalizing marijuana nationally, working with Congress to ensure that the safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of recreational marijuana is the law of the land."
"She will also fight to ensure that as the national cannabis industry takes shape, Black men—who have, for years, been overpoliced for marijuana use—are able to access wealth and jobs in this new market," the campaign added.
My parents met while protesting for civil rights. When I was a child, they would take me to marches in a stroller.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 14, 2024
Those were my first memories of seeing people fighting for the freedoms and the promise of America that had long been kept from them.
As I have traveled across the… pic.twitter.com/kNKPss77fU
Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz echoed a similar sentiment in an earlier interview, though he noted that legalization is an issue individual states should address. He pointed out that the matter of transactions and banking remains a significant obstacle to legalization, particularly on a federal and international scale. He also emphasized that having more Democrats in Congress would make federal cannabis reform easier to pass.
The cannabis industry, of course, reacted to this historic pledge by a presidential candidate. "This is the first time in history that both candidates have indicated they will advance cannabis legalization," said Greenlight CEO John Mueller. "This commitment could be the final blow to a failed 50-year policy that has unjustly impacted countless lives. What we are building here in the Midwest is an example of how other states can implement a program that is responsive to consumers and patients, while also adding revenue and jobs to the state. Cannabis has the potential to be a thriving economic and agricultural engine for many states."
Harris' campaign has stated that federally legalizing cannabis will "ensure that all Americans have opportunities to succeed as this new industry takes shape." Rick Doblin, founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), commented: "MAPS welcomes Harris' bold commitment to making marijuana legalization a national priority. As a critical first step toward ending the destructive policies of the War on Drugs, this proposal represents an essential turning point in U.S. drug policy. For too long, these unjust laws have disproportionately targeted marginalized communities, hindered scientific progress, and perpetuated harm. By advancing marijuana legalization, Harris is laying the groundwork for a future where drug policy is driven by science, public health, and human rights. We stand ready to support these efforts and work with leaders to end the criminalization of individuals for personal drug use while opening the door to greater research and therapeutic applications of cannabis and psychedelics. This is the first step toward a more compassionate, just, and evidence-based approach to drug policy in America."
Harris' commitment has been positively received across the board, as noted by David Culver, senior VP of government relations at the US Cannabis Council. "Vice President Kamala Harris, a longtime advocate for cannabis reform, has made full legalization a central part of her platform, reflecting how crucial the cannabis vote has become for both parties. Polling shows broad public support, with cannabis emerging as a swing issue for key battleground demographics, including Black men and young adults. With more states adopting regulated, adult-use markets, we're optimistic that the election could usher in meaningful federal regulation that ensures consumer safety and prevents youth access."
At the same time, some skepticism remains, as things are often easier said than done, particularly in a Congress that has repeatedly failed to address the most pressing issues of the cannabis industry. "While the Harris campaign's announcement is encouraging, and is a major step forward for the cannabis industry, it's important to consider the complexities that come with moving toward full federal legalization," said SHF Holdings CEO Sundie Seefried. "Comprehensive federal reform does offer opportunities for nationwide consistency, but it also introduces significant challenges for both state-level regulators and businesses. States have developed their own regulatory frameworks over years, and forcing them to adjust to federal standards could create substantial complications. Establishing a federal regulatory environment will still be required and take more time than moving from a Schedule I to III. The industry needs more immediate relief and I fear, while the intent is good, the time it takes to establish such federal regulation and merge state regulatory environments will delay progress for the industry. The cannabis sector has matured under a state-by-state approach, and I believe removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, rather than full legalization, would be a more practical and immediate step."