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In reply to the discussion: Why the Hell Isn't Biden Ending the Federal War on Cannabis? [View all]Celerity
(43,695 posts)As far as not knowing, all one had to do was look at his multi-decade record.
Biden, once a warrior in the war on drugs, may slowly retreat
The president-elect has reluctantly embraced decriminalizing marijuana, but he could struggle to change laws.
January 11, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/11/biden-war-on-drugs/
President-elect Joe Biden built part of his political career on being known as a fighter in the war on drugs, supporting legislation as a senator that set harsh penalties for some drug offenses. But as president, Biden could potentially oversee broad changes in federal drug policy, including how the government and law enforcement agencies view drug addiction and treatment and classify the use of marijuana.
Biden will take office at a time when the nations attitudes about drugs, particularly the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana, appear to be one area where there is relative, and growing, bipartisan unity. In an election that was otherwise defined by stark political differences, voters in both red states and blue states Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota supported ballot initiatives to legalize the personal use of marijuana, while Mississippi voters legalized it for medicinal use. Along with earlier action by state legislatures or voters, 15 states have legalized marijuana, while 36 others have approved some form of medicinal marijuana use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
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But marijuana remains illegal under federal law, leaving users and suppliers vulnerable to prosecution even in places where the drug is otherwise legally sold and used. The nations growing cannabis industry also faces hurdles in transporting its products across state lines and accessing the countrys federally regulated banking system.
During his primary campaign, Biden was one of the few Democratic candidates who did not support federal legalization of marijuana for recreational use, citing concerns that it could be a gateway drug. But during the general-election campaign, he softened his stance, saying that the drug should be decriminalized and that individual states should decide whether to legalize it for recreational use. As the general-election campaign progressed, Kamala D. Harris, Bidens running mate and a former prosecutor, also advocated for the decriminalization of marijuana despite past opposition to legalizing it. During the October vice-presidential debate, Harris said a Biden-Harris administration will decriminalize marijuana, and we will expunge the records of those who have been convicted of marijuana crimes.
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