St. Paul, Minnesota – Vice President Kamala Harris recently visited St. Paul Health Center, a clinic that provides abortion services, in St. Paul, Minnesota. During a roundtable discussion on cannabis reform, Harris expressed her disbelief in the classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, equating it to heroin and fentanyl in terms of danger. She emphasized the need for a shift in federal law regarding marijuana to address what she described as an unfair treatment.
The Biden administration’s efforts to reconsider marijuana’s classification under federal law have been ongoing, with President Biden issuing pardons for previous federal offenses related to simple marijuana possession. Harris has been actively engaging with various communities to build support and enthusiasm for the administration’s push for reform, particularly among Black voters, younger voters, and core Democratic constituencies.
In her discussions, Harris highlighted the disparities in the criminal justice system and the disproportionate impact of cannabis-related laws on communities of color. She emphasized the need for equal justice under the law and advocated for the decriminalization of marijuana, emphasizing that no one should be imprisoned for possessing or using the substance.
Reflecting on her own evolution on marijuana reform, Harris acknowledged her past role as a prosecutor who oversaw numerous marijuana convictions. Despite her previous opposition to full legalization, Harris has more recently called for an end to the federal ban on medical cannabis and expressed support for legalization in her 2019 book.
The roundtable discussion included individuals who had received pardons for marijuana-related convictions, underscoring the administration’s focus on addressing the impact of past policies on individuals and communities. President Biden also touched on cannabis reform in his recent State of the Union address, echoing the administration’s commitment to reevaluating existing laws and policies surrounding marijuana.
Harris’s engagement with various stakeholders and her advocacy for cannabis reform are reflective of the administration’s broader efforts to address issues of equity and justice within the criminal justice system. As discussions on marijuana reform continue, Harris remains a key figure in shaping the administration’s approach to this critical issue.