cannabisnews.com: Kamala Harris Might Lead To Marijuana Legalization
function share_this(num) {
tit=encodeURIComponent('Kamala Harris Might Lead To Marijuana Legalization');
url=encodeURIComponent('http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/29/thread29474.shtml');
site = new Array(5);
site[0]='http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[1]='http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit.php?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[2]='http://digg.com/submit?topic=political_opinion&media=video&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[3]='http://reddit.com/submit?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
site[4]='http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
window.open(site[num],'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=500');
return false;
}
Kamala Harris Might Lead To Marijuana Legalization
Posted by CN Staff on August 21, 2020 at 10:07:08 PT
By Kris Krane, Senior Contributor
Source: Forbes
USA -- Kamala Harris supports marijuana legalization. Sure, detractors can point to her checkered record as a prosecutor in California to claim that Senator Harris was late to the party on marijuana and that her conversion was based on political expediency rather than genuine conviction. But doing so would ignore the mounting evidence that Harris has been one of the most vocal and active supporters of legalization in the United States Senate, demonstrating a depth and understanding of the issue and its many nuances. If elected Vice President, she is arguably reformers best hope of moving Joe Biden and the Democratic Party towards a position of full support for cannabis legalization.
While it is undoubtedly true that Kamala Harris’ record on cannabis as San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General leaves a lot to be desired, since joining the United States Senate, Harris has not only been consistently outspoken in her support of marijuana legalization, she has taken significant legislative action to back up her rhetoric with real world solutions.Most prominently, Senator Harris is the lead sponsor in the Senate of the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, the most far ranging legalization proposal currently pending in Congress that would not only legalize cannabis, but would address some of the more egregious consequences of prohibition, in particular expunging the records of hundreds of thousands of people, mostly people of color, whose lives and livelihoods are saddled by a cannabis conviction. It would also create pathways to ownership in the emerging industry for communities most harmed by marijuana prohibition.But Harris hasn’t stopped with putting her name on the MORE Act. She was one of the original co-sponsors of Cory Booker’s Marijuana Justice Act, the first legalization bill that attempted to frame legalization in the broader context of racial and social justice. Harris not only signed on to the legislation, she publicly campaigned for its passage and became an outspoken proponent in the media.Since joining the Senate, Harris has become a vocal proponent of expunging records for people convicted of marijuana offenses, one of the few policy positions she seems to share with Joe Biden on the issue. She even promoted this issue in her book, The Truths We Hold, writing that we need to “expunge nonviolent marijuana-related offenses from the records of millions of people who have been arrested and incarcerated so they can get on with their lives.” When Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued pardons to more than 11,000 marijuana offenders on the eve of legalization taking effect in that state, Senator Harris applauded the move, tweeting that “Expunging non-violent marijuana-related offenses is the right thing to do. Now let’s legalize marijuana at the federal level.”While it is true that Senator Harris is a relative latecomer to the issue of legalization, she has been consistent during her career in her support for medical cannabis. She campaigned in support of California’s medical cannabis laws during her first attorney general run in 2010, and followed through during her tenure in office. Most notably she authored a series of letters to the four U.S. attorneys in the state urging them to cease and desist their campaign to harass legal cannabis businesses through raids and civil asset forfeiture.Senator Harris has maintained her strong support for medical cannabis during her time as a U.S. Senator, even working across party lines to strengthen federal research on the medical benefits of cannabis for Americans. In 2018 she joined conservative Utah Republican Senator Orin Hatch in writing a letter to then U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions imploring him to stop blocking access to research on cannabis and cannabinoids, particularly for veterans suffering from PTSD. She has also been a champion of the emerging cannabis industry during her tenure in the Senate, most prominently as a co-sponsor of the SAFE Banking Act that would provide the cannabis industry with access to the same banking industry that is enjoyed by every other legal business in the country. Earlier this year she implored Senate leaders to allow cannabis businesses to be eligible for critical coronavirus relief funding available to most small businesses during the pandemic, even using her social media presence in support of the measure and highlighting that cannabis businesses employee 240,000 Americans whose livelihoods depend on these jobs.While certainly not an indicator of political support for legalization (President Barack Obama was famously a member of the pot smoking Choom Gang in high school but never came around to supporting legalization), Kamala Harris speaks openly and fondly about consuming cannabis herself in her younger years. Of course, she also claimed to have listened to Snoop Dogg and Tupac while high in college, only to have it revealed that neither artist had released their debut album at that time, something President Trump has seized on in accusing Harris of lying about marijuana. But Senator Harris can be forgiven for misremembering the exact soundtrack to her pot smoking days nearly 40 years ago, and perhaps even conflated it with a yet undisclosed smoke session later in life.For all of the noise being made about Kamala Harris’ early record on marijuana policy, there is no denying that she fully embraces this issue today. When asked recently during an interview for Now This to name her most important political evolution, she chose marijuana legalization. Cannabis reform supporters should applaud her evolution on this issue and judge her by the actions she has taken to back up her words. After all, the goal of political movements is to create an environment where elected officials can feel comfortable coming out in support of an issue. Marijuana reformers should be proud that their decades of hard work has allowed a former prosecutor like Kamala Harris to speak to openly in support of legalization on a national stage, and to back it up by championing far reaching legislation on the issue.Importantly, Joe Biden has said he chose Kamala Harris because he wanted a vice president who can rely on as a governing partner, trying to recreate the relationship he had when serving as vice president to Barack Obama. Perhaps Biden’s most well-known accomplishment in that role was pushing President Obama to evolve on the issue of same sex marriage. A Vice President Harris will have the ear of a President Biden like arguably nobody else in government. Given her enthusiastic and outspoken support for legalization as a Senator, it is safe to assume that she will push Biden to evolve on this issue and get himself in line with the vast majority of Americans who support legalization.Her potential influence on a Biden administration cannot be understated. Even if Congress fails to send a legalization bill to the president’s desk for signature, there is a lot that the executive branch can do to move the issue forward. The president could ask the attorney general to stop enforcing federal marijuana laws against businesses that are legal and licensed by a state government, instruct the IRS to reinterpret the 280e provision of the tax code to no longer apply to state legal cannabis businesses, ask the Treasury Department to draft rules ensuring full banking access for the cannabis industry, and offer pardons and commutations for anyone who has been convicted of a federal non-violent cannabis offense. Given Senator Harris’ apparent passion for this issue and understanding of the nuances of cannabis policy, she will be best positioned to push the Biden administration to implement these and other executive actions that would have a major impact on the lives of countless Americans.Make no mistake, Senator Kamala Harris was among the best choices Joe Biden could have made for people who wish to see an end to marijuana prohibition. Marijuana activists and cannabis business owners should continue to hold her feet to the fire to ensure that she doesn’t just tow the party line now that she is the running mate to a candidate whose position on legalization leaves a lot to be desired. But supporters should take comfort that they have a true champion for legalization who will have the ear of the president, and is arguably the best hope we have to shepherd the nation into a post prohibition world.Disclaimer: When Kamala Harris was chosen as Joe Biden’s running mate last week, I couldn’t help but notice a sharp divide among supporters of marijuana policy reform on social media about the impact she would have on the issue. Many felt that her background as a prosecutor and longtime opposition to legalization before coming around in recent years meant that she was likely to revert to her past stance and echo Joe Biden’s lackluster position on the issue, effectively blocking any real chance of reform in the next four years. Others argue that her newfound support of the issue and sponsorship of key reform legislation provided hope that she could be the catalyst to federal legalization in a Biden administration. Virtually nobody seemed to find a middle ground. So I decided to take this to its natural extreme, writing two columns at once that make the case for both sides. To read the case for why Senator Harris is the worst thing to happen to marijuana since Harry Anslinger, click here. URL: http://drugsense.org/url/0a2c1XldSource: Forbes Magazine (US)Author: Kris Krane, Senior ContributorPublished: August 19, 2020Copyright: 2020 Forbes Media LLCContact: readers forbes.comWebsite: http://www.forbes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/TwyfMtJbCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
Comment #37 posted by Hope on October 12, 2020 at 09:28:11 PT
FoM. Yes, it was!
Personally, I'm a big fan of wishes. On a star, or whatever. Some people like to say, "If wishes were horses... beggars would ride." Lol! That's ok. I like horses!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #36 posted by FoM on October 11, 2020 at 13:20:51 PT
Hope
Thank you! My wish was answered!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #35 posted by Hope on October 11, 2020 at 11:45:38 PT
And it was done the hard way. The right way.
Through the system. A small group of people against hideous odds and power.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #34 posted by Hope on October 11, 2020 at 11:40:28 PT
I think this is beautiful.
“I have friends locked up just for having pot on them, not even large amounts,” Howard said. “The idea that I could walk into a store free and clear and buy some weed and carry on with my day was kinda great. It feels like America, like freedom. Exciting. Was great to hang out and celebrate. We got this legalized. The fight has finally come to an end and we won.”https://www.pressherald.com/2020/10/09/handful-of-stores-open-on-maine-cannabis-markets-inaugural-day/
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #33 posted by Hope on October 11, 2020 at 11:27:26 PT
Your wish.
The article has one hundred six comments.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #32 posted by Hope on October 11, 2020 at 11:25:20 PT
FoM. Your wish!
After long wait, Mainers revel in first day of recreational pot saleshttps://www.pressherald.com/2020/10/09/handful-of-stores-open-on-maine-cannabis-markets-inaugural-day/It's long. I haven't finished it yet. It looks amazing and has pictures as well!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #31 posted by Hope on October 11, 2020 at 11:02:04 PT
Afterburner
Our people that know this should post their names and give them grades. A to F.Yay Colorado! Rejoice with these guys! https://www.pressherald.com/2020/10/09/handful-of-stores-open-on-maine-cannabis-markets-inaugural-day/
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #30 posted by afterburner on October 10, 2020 at 11:06:53 PT
My State Has Judges on the Ballot
In past elections I have had difficulty knowing how their decisions from the Bench have been or would be influenced by their personal opinions regarding cannabis. Informed voters need to know. Perhaps, NORML or Leafly could publish this sort of information to aid voters this time around.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #29 posted by FoM on October 10, 2020 at 08:23:44 PT
The GCW
Thank you. That is wonderful news to hear.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #28 posted by The GCW on October 09, 2020 at 16:07:01 PT
FoM,
News. (from some days ago)Colorado Governor to Mass Pardon 2,700-plus marijuana (cannabis) convictions...Action will be automatic for those who qualify...https://www.denverpost.com/2020/10/01/colorado-marijuana-convictions-pardons-governor-polis/ -0-Election coverage... and it keeps changing... -0-The Covid-19 In Chief will be lucky to even be alive by Election Day. Most people his age don't have much time once they contract the virus. Cannabis is a winner.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #27 posted by FoM on October 09, 2020 at 09:27:31 PT
I Wish
I know all the news is basically around the election but I wish a newspaper would do a few articles about our issue.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #26 posted by Hope on October 08, 2020 at 15:48:41 PT
Fox 🦊 News
“Eleven states and Washington, D.C. are already reaping the benefits of the job creation, economic development and, importantly, social justice reform that comes with legalization and regulation...”
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #25 posted by Hope on October 08, 2020 at 15:41:47 PT
Sounds good, Vermont!
The governor’s decision makes Vermont the 11th state to legalize marijuana sales for recreational purposes.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #24 posted by Hope on October 08, 2020 at 15:38:28 PT
Courtesy of Tom Angell
Harris And Pence Clash On Marijuana And Drug Enforcement During VP Debatehttps://www.marijuanamoment.net/harris-and-pence-debate-marijuana-and-drug-policy-during-vp-debate/
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #23 posted by FoM on October 08, 2020 at 08:47:51 PT
I Agree With This
Dumping Trump is The Only Way Marijuana Legalization Will HappenURL: https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/dumping-trump-only-way-marijuana-legalization-will-happen
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #22 posted by afterburner on October 06, 2020 at 09:37:32 PT
Whoa! Law Enforcer or "Religious" Judgement
French MPs hit out against proposed legalisation of cannabis.
By Hannah Thompson.
5 October 2020
https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/French-MPs-hit-out-against-proposed-legalisation-of-cannabis-as-other-MPs-restart-debate
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #21 posted by FoM on October 01, 2020 at 06:13:15 PT
Afterburner
I hope your cable is back on. It was the scariest thing I have seen in politics for a long time. A person from The Financial Times from the UK said on Morning Joe that Trump knows he is going down and he is a very dark person and will try to take as many Americans down with him. We must be very careful during these times.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #20 posted by afterburner on September 30, 2020 at 09:25:30 PT
FoM, I Agree
My cable is out & US radio stations that carried it are too far away for my clock radio to pick up. Rather than sit in my car for an hour and a half, I decided to listen to a local news radio station for their clips and comments. I was awake super late as they digested the debate details. I hope to hear or read a more complete account today. I have to check today about my absentee ballot. In just a few days longer than one month, we will be voting. I haven't heard from my polling center yet.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #19 posted by FoM on September 29, 2020 at 11:02:52 PT
Afterburner
I am very anxious to see the debate tonight. I know this is so important.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #18 posted by afterburner on September 29, 2020 at 10:03:22 PT
Eyes Tonight on Presidential Debate, 2 from Leafly
Politics. Top 9 arguments in support of marijuana legalization and regulation. David Downs,
California Bureau Chief for Leafly.com.
September 28, 2020
https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/9-marijuana-legalization-argumentsIn South Dakota, voters have to shout twice to legalize marijuana.Bruce Barcott,
Leafly Senior Editor,
September 28, 2020
https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/in-south-dakota-voters-have-to-shout-twice-to-legalize-marijuana
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #17 posted by afterburner on September 22, 2020 at 10:58:39 PT
Should Legalization Include Green Support?
How weed farming is destroying the planet.
By Mhari Aurora • 21/09/2020
https://www.euronews.com/living/2020/09/21/how-weed-farming-is-destroying-the-planet
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 14, 2020 at 09:28:28 PT
John Tyler
Cannabis is mainstream now. It sure has been a long and rocky journey. It isn't over yet but we are getting so much closer. I just hope we can win this election and maybe Federal laws will be changed.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #15 posted by John Tyler on September 13, 2020 at 08:22:38 PT
Some cannabis good news
States plow forward with pot, with or without CongressHere are a couple of things to notice. Cannabis legalization in no longer controversial, it is mainstream. Also, when the states go legal, that state’s Senators and Representatives follow along.https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/13/marijuana-legalization-state-measures-412764
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 12, 2020 at 20:10:50 PT
The GCW
We are voting by mail this time and when we get our ballot it will be dropped off at the one county drop box we get. Could they spare a few more for big counties? I think they don't want to do that.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #13 posted by THE GCW on September 12, 2020 at 16:30:39 PT
FoM,
I hear You.My feeling is t will lose BIG.he has not gained supporters, rather, alienated supporters. Caused more vomiting than any other prez... -he'll get less votes than last time, all around.Not even close.On the other hand, We must not be complacent and energize people to make sure they stand up and VOTE.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 12, 2020 at 04:59:39 PT
The GCW
He is everything I dislike in a person and worse. What really bother me is that people almost treat him like he is a messiah. Whatever he does they worship him. The more he screams hatred the more they cheer. I liked Obama but I recognized his short comings. I always felt safe when he was our President though.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #11 posted by The GCW on September 11, 2020 at 15:29:12 PT
FoM, trump is worse than the pandemic
trump is worse than the pandemic
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 11, 2020 at 05:46:10 PT
The GCW
To me he is so dangerous nothing right now is more important then fixing this disaster. I don't understand why people seem to worship him and that is what it feels like to me. I was pleased with Obama and didn't fret and worry like I do now for our country. The hatred I see when someone sees us in a mask blows my mind. He wants to only be the leader of people who support him not all of us.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by The GCW on September 10, 2020 at 15:38:00 PT
Grab the plunger and send him.
You know those instances where You flush a toilet and things don't go as planned so You grab for the plunger???On this election day, We must, like it's an emergency, grab the plunger.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by The GCW on September 10, 2020 at 15:35:07 PT
I agree with Hope: that does not make Me happy.
& Agree with acceptable ways to help change that.With that said, knowing it does not make Me happy, realize it doesn't completely freak Me out and make Me want to vomit like nearly everything regarding t.A vote for Biden is to flush the t. That's one of the most important considerations of My lifetime: getting t out.Realizing We are moving forward with cannabis either way, the importance of getting rid of last election's mistake is a far far bigger issue.United We flush.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by FoM on September 10, 2020 at 10:13:02 PT
John Tyler
Good advice. One thing I do believe is Biden would listen to Harris and others when they mention a legalization question. They can't make it a political issue or Trump would stir up reefer madness. He would do anything to keep himself from losing.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by John Tyler on September 10, 2020 at 09:18:53 PT
Change Biden's mind
I like Biden, but he is way off base when it comes to cannabis and other drugs. His position can be changed through legislation. Contact your Senators and Congressional Rep. and ask them to Support the MORE Act now in the Senate. This legislation proposes to remove marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana. Sen. Kamala Harris is one of its sponsors. If you have Republican Senators or Reps. just vote Democratic.Check it out.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2227
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by Hope on September 09, 2020 at 15:37:23 PT
This does not make me happy.
Biden Pledges To Force People Who Use Drugs To Enroll In Mandatory Treatment Programshttps://www.marijuanamoment.net/biden-pledges-to-force-people-who-use-drugs-to-enroll-in-mandatory-treatment-programs/
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by The GCW on August 24, 2020 at 17:52:43 PT
Satan is a trump supporter
satan is a trump supporter.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by FoM on August 24, 2020 at 06:52:10 PT
One More Comment
I just hope when Melania had Jackie Kennedy's tree cut down the gardeners had the good sense to cut branches and try to clone it.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 24, 2020 at 05:57:07 PT
The GCW
If Trump would win I really am done. It will be the end of democracy and I believe that with my whole heart. Trump is only a person for right wing people not all of us. He has stirred hatred like I have never seen before. He loves to be with the worst leaders of countries in the world and rejects all our allies. I never thought I would live to see the day when our country could collapse but here it is.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by The GCW on August 23, 2020 at 14:38:03 PT
I get it.
Kamala Harris supports marijuana legalization. Sure, detractors can point to her checkered record as a prosecutor..."""I want to be, need to be guarded in what I'm about to say / predict.There are enormous amounts of people who supported t last election who will not support that guy today. - lost support: NOT GAINED SUPPORT!I believe the chump is going to lose HUGE.& I predict cannabis wins either way.This is BIGGER than cannabis though.I used cannabis through times where it was a felony if caught. These are different times. (unless You live in some parts of the south: read IGNOIDVILLE!). -I know, I know, there ARE good people there, they're just overrun by not good... -!Getting rid of a MAJOR FOOL. A SCUM, RING AROUND THE TOILET SKID MARK should be EVERY Americans priority T!O!D!A!Y!
[ Post Comment ]
Post Comment