Vice President Kamala Harris recently reiterated her support for the legalization of cannabis, emphasizing that individuals should not face incarceration for using marijuana. In a podcast interview with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the “All the Smoke” podcast, Harris expressed her belief that the criminalization of cannabis has had disproportionate impacts on certain communities.
Harris, who has been vocal about her stance on cannabis legalization dating back to her 2019 presidential campaign, highlighted the need to end the practice of sending individuals to jail for marijuana use. Despite her past roles as a district attorney and attorney general, where she was involved in prosecuting cannabis-related offenses and opposing legalization efforts, Harris has evolved in her views on the issue.
During the interview, Harris acknowledged her personal experience with marijuana, revealing that she had used the substance during her college years. She emphasized the importance of shifting towards a system that legalizes and decriminalizes cannabis, rather than perpetuating punitive measures against users.
As vice president, Harris has advocated for the reclassification of marijuana by the Drug Enforcement Administration to a lower drug schedule. Her evolving stance on cannabis policy reflects a broader shift in public opinion towards legalization and decriminalization.
While Harris's past record includes overseeing numerous marijuana convictions as San Francisco's district attorney and opposing a 2010 legalization effort as California's attorney general, her current advocacy for cannabis reform signals a departure from previous approaches to drug policy.
In 2015, Harris called for an end to the federal ban on medical cannabis, signaling a willingness to support incremental changes towards broader legalization. Her consistent messaging on the need to address the racial disparities and social injustices associated with cannabis prohibition underscores a commitment to reforming drug laws in the United States.
