During a recent interview on the All the Smoke podcast with hosts Matt Barnes & Stephen Jackson, Vice President Kamala Harris reinforced her position on cannabis legalization, saying, “People should not be going to jail for smoking weed.” Harris’s comments reflect her long-standing commitment to marijuana reform, a stance that has evolved significantly throughout her career.
Harris’s Early Advocacy and Key Legislative Efforts
Harris’s advocacy for cannabis reform became more prominent when she joined the U.S. Senate in 2017. That year, she co-sponsored the Marijuana Justice Act, introduced by Senator Cory Booker. This bill sought to federally decriminalize marijuana by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act. It also proposed expunging prior convictions and reallocating federal funds to support community reinvestment and job training for individuals impacted by harsh drug policies.
Her commitment to comprehensive reform continued with her introduction of the MORE Act (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act) in 2019. This bill was historic, as it went beyond decriminalization by including social equity programs. The MORE Act also proposed a federal tax on cannabis sales, with the revenue directed towards funding grants for legal aid, small business assistance, and educational opportunities in communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs.
Championing Social Justice and Equity
Throughout her career, Harris has consistently highlighted the racial disparities in cannabis enforcement. In a 2020 interview, she pointed out that Black Americans are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white Americans, despite similar usage rates. Her legislative proposals, such as the MORE Act, included provisions to rectify these injustices through record expungements and community reinvestment programs.
In her latest appearance on the All the Smoke podcast, Harris reiterated her belief that cannabis legalization is not just about decriminalizing the drug but also about correcting systemic injustices. “We know historically what that has meant and who has gone to jail,” she said, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
Evolving Stance on Legalization
Harris’s stance on cannabis has shifted over the years. During her tenure as California’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2017, she did not initially advocate for full legalization but supported incremental changes that paved the way for future reform. She backed efforts that led to the passage of Proposition 64, which legalized recreational cannabis use in California in 2016. Her support for the proposition signaled a shift in her approach, as she began focusing more on restorative justice and equitable access to the cannabis market.
A Roadmap for the Future
As Vice President, Harris’s advocacy remains pivotal. While President Joe Biden has taken a more cautious approach, supporting only decriminalization and expungement, Harris’s presence in the administration signals a continued push toward broader federal cannabis reform. Her efforts to introduce comprehensive bills like the MORE Act reflect a desire to create a fairer, more inclusive cannabis industry that addresses past harms and provides opportunities for those impacted by prohibition.
The cannabis community and legalization advocates view Harris as a key figure in future efforts to push for federal legalization, particularly as more states continue to legalize cannabis. Her influence may play a crucial role in advancing legislation that not only legalizes marijuana nationwide but also ensures that communities most affected by prohibition have a fair chance to benefit from the burgeoning cannabis market.
With states like New York, New Jersey, and Virginia implementing comprehensive cannabis laws with social equity provisions, Harris’s work and advocacy could serve as a foundation for future national policies. As she stated on All the Smoke, her support for legalization is rooted in a commitment to justice and equity—a message that resonates strongly in the ongoing conversation around cannabis reform in America.
In the coming years, advocates hope to see Harris’s influence translate into tangible changes, particularly in pushing for the passage of bills like the MORE Act, which seek to build a cannabis industry that benefits everyone, not just the privileged few.
COMMENTS