As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, the future of marijuana legislation could see dramatic shifts depending on the victor—Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, or Donald Trump, representing the Republicans. With cannabis legalization at a tipping point, this election could determine whether federal marijuana reform advances or remains stalled for years to come. Clearly, the 2024 U.S. election impact on marijuana legalization will be significant.
Kamala Harris: A Pro-Legalization Stance
Kamala Harris has evolved into one of the most vocal advocates for federal marijuana legalization. As a former California attorney general, she once opposed legalizing recreational cannabis but has since reversed her stance. As vice president, Harris pushed for cannabis to be rescheduled under the Controlled Substances Act, calling it “absurd” that marijuana is classified alongside heroin. She also co-sponsored the Marijuana Justice Act and has supported legislation like the SAFE Banking Act, which would give cannabis businesses access to federal banking services (Marijuana Moment).
Harris has made it clear that her presidency would prioritize full federal legalization, which would allow marijuana businesses to flourish, help eliminate the black market, and make expungement of non-violent cannabis offenses a key part of criminal justice reform. If she wins, expect movement on comprehensive cannabis legislation, including lifting federal restrictions and allowing interstate commerce. Considering all these factors, it’s clear the 2024 U.S. election impact on marijuana legalization could be profound with Harris in office.
Donald Trump: Let the States Decide
On the other hand, Donald Trump takes a more hands-off approach. During his first term, Trump allowed states to operate their own cannabis programs without significant federal interference. While he tentatively supports medical marijuana and has hinted that state voters should decide on legalization, he hasn’t been an active proponent of federal reform. His approach has been described as “beneficial neglect,” where he didn’t advance cannabis legislation but also didn’t stand in the way of state-level initiatives (MJBizDaily).
Should Trump win, federal marijuana reform could stall. His administration might delay or even reverse efforts to reschedule cannabis, leaving legalization efforts entirely up to individual states. Although the cannabis industry might continue growing at the state level, a second Trump term would likely mean continued fragmentation of laws across the country. Therefore, we must consider the 2024 U.S. election impact on the progression of marijuana legalization if Trump wins.
What’s at Stake in the 2024 Election?
- Federal Rescheduling: A key issue in the 2024 election is whether cannabis will be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III, a change currently in the works but likely delayed until after the election. Rescheduling would ease tax and research restrictions on the industry but would not fully legalize cannabis (Voice of America)(NY1).
- SAFE Banking Act: Harris has supported the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow cannabis businesses to use federal banking systems. This would be a major win for the industry, helping dispensaries avoid the current reliance on cash transactions. Trump has not voiced strong support for this reform (Marijuana Moment)(MJBizDaily).
- Criminal Justice Reform: Harris’s agenda includes expunging non-violent cannabis convictions and addressing racial disparities in marijuana enforcement. In contrast, Trump’s stance on criminal justice reform related to cannabis has been more subdued, focusing on pardons and reduced sentences for select cases but lacking a comprehensive plan (Marijuana Moment)(Marijuana Moment).
Conclusion: A Crossroads for Cannabis
The 2024 election presents two very different futures for cannabis in the United States. Kamala Harris’s presidency would likely push for full federal legalization, bringing marijuana out of the shadows and into a regulated, nationwide market. Donald Trump, while not directly opposing state-level legalization, offers a more uncertain path, with little chance of major federal reform. This highlights how critical the 2024 U.S. election impact on marijuana legalization is.
Ultimately, the choice voters make will impact the cannabis industry and consumers for years to come. Whether you’re a cannabis entrepreneur or just curious about legalization, the stakes have never been higher.
Related: Federal Marijuana – Guessing the Last State to Legalize
