President Donald Trump has said in will make the decision “in the next few weeks” about changing the way marijuana is scheduled to effectively decriminalize it, The Hill reported. This was part of a plan first floated by then-President Joe Biden to change how the government classifies the drug from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule III.
The push to legalize pot has historically been a leftist policy, but Trump said in 2024 that the issue was on the table. “As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.
“As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November. As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens,” Trump said.
Step Toward Legalization
Trump is not seeking to make the substance completely legal, but it’s no doubt a step in that direction. Biden attempted to get it done during his time in office, as he saw it as a criminal justice reform, but Drug Enforcement Administration Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney canceled a hearing on the matter just before Trump took office.
Marijuana Policy Project Director Adam Smith blames the DEA for resisting the change to the laws on marijuana and thwarting Biden’s plan. “The DEA, culturally and historically, has been against reforming cannabis laws,” Smith said.
“And I think to some extent that is their natural response, to dig in their heels,” Smith said. Still, Smith believes that the growing tolerance of the drug signals that the time is right to make the change to how it’s handled on the legal side, even among Republicans.
“I would point out that majorities of Americans from all parties support cannabis law reform and support legalization. [A] large, large, overwhelming majority support medical access, and so I don’t think it’s as unpopular on the right as it is often portrayed,” Smith claimed.
“Also, there’s an issue of personal freedom that should speak to conservatives,” Smith added. Notably, the Florida measure Trump voted on failed to get 60% of the vote required in the heavily Republican state. However, a Pew Research poll found that only 10% of Americans polled believed cannabis should be completely illegal, while another 87% support the legalization of recreational and medical use.
Tax Benefits
The push for legalization isn’t just from the people who wish to use marijuana. The move would also allow growers to declare additional tax incentives, including deducting business expenses or claiming credits if the drug were rescheduled, as producers of substances classified in Schedule I or II are prohibited from such claims.
Proponents argue that this means the product could be regulated and tested for the consumer’s benefit, but it’s a small consolation to have America’s cities reeking of reefer. Opponents of the drug’s rescheduling have pointed out that it unfairly gives tax incentives to an entire industry while the rest of the nation takes the brunt of the downsides.
Kevin Sabet, drug policy adviser to three presidents and president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, believes this is not in line with Trump’s values. “I don’t think it’s consistent with his agenda at all. The other thing is, you know, it would give huge tax breaks to the marijuana industry,” Sabet said.
“That’s all that this is about. It’s about money. It’s about a small number of people making a lot of money off of many users,” he added. Even if Trump wishes to push this through, there may be resistance at the DEA, considering that the new DEA Administrator Terry Cole walked back support for rescheduling after he was confirmed.
The places that have decriminalized marijuana are now filled with the stench of pot, while stoned individuals can be found out and about throughout the day. Bringing this to every city and small town in America seems like a terrible plan and a surprising move from Trump, especially since it was started under Biden.
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Author: Christine Favocci
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