March 17th 2024.
During a roundtable discussion on March 15, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about the scheduling of marijuana and its implications. She expressed her thoughts on the fact that marijuana is classified as a more dangerous drug than fentanyl, which is currently at the forefront of an overdose crisis. Harris called this classification absurd and unfair.
The roundtable, which included rapper Fat Joe, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and individuals who have been pardoned for marijuana convictions, also touched on Harris' past as a prosecutor. She acknowledged the flaws in the criminal justice system and stated that no one should be incarcerated for simply using marijuana.
The Biden-Harris Administration has been advocating for the rescheduling of marijuana since 2022 when President Joe Biden issued pardons for federal marijuana offenses and urged state governors to do the same. He also directed the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and the U.S. Attorney General to review how marijuana is classified.
Despite its proven medicinal use, marijuana is still considered more dangerous than heroin under current scheduling. This stance by Harris represents a significant shift in her policy, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, and the paper has called for an explanation from her on how she came to this conclusion.
According to NPR, the HHS has completed their review, but the DEA has not. This has caused frustration for Harris, who has been pushing for the rescheduling of marijuana as one of Biden's key campaign promises. She emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for a resolution based on the findings and assessment from the review.
Chris Goldstein, a marijuana advocate from New Jersey who was present at the roundtable, told Marijuana Moment that Harris' call for action meant a lot to him. He also noted that despite the media not recording Harris' call for legalization during the closed-door session, it was still a meaningful moment. Goldstein believes that the White House is committed to consistently engaging with marijuana policy, including clemency, criminal justice, and legalization.
In related news, Washington, D.C. and Oregon have recently voted to legalize marijuana, marking a significant win for the marijuana industry. This adds to the growing momentum in favor of marijuana reform and highlights the need for action from the federal government.
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