Key Takeaways
Current Situation: By 2024, cannabis is legal for adult use in 23 states and for medical use in 38 states.
Donald Trump’s Position: Advocates for state-level legalization in instances where quality control and public safety measures are well-regulated.
Tight Control over THC Products: Trump has addressed tight controls over THC products, including vaping products.
Political Impact: Cannabis legalization has become one of the most essential keys to winning the favor of youth and liberal voters.
History and Current State of Cannabis Legalization
Brief History of Legalization
For over a decade, the road to cannabis legalization in the United States began when Colorado and Washington boldly legalized the recreational use of cannabis back in 2012. Such a bold move opened the floodgates to a wave of change that has swept across the nation in the years since. Fast-forward to 2024, and the whole landscape of cannabis legalization looks very different. Today, recreational use is fully legal in 23 states, and a grand total of 38 have given the thumbs-up for medical use. It is a far cry from the days when cannabis was universally prohibited and criminalized.
Medical and Recreational Legalization
While there is a general trend toward legalization, the specifics do differ from one state to another. Some have chosen to allow only medical use, recognizing the potential for therapeutic benefit from cannabis for a variety of conditions. Others have gone a step further, allowing adults to use it recreationally as well. While progress has been made at the state level, the federal government has yet to follow suit. Under federal law, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I substance—a categorization shared with other drugs like heroin and LSD. This mismatch between state and federal policy creates a complex and sometimes confusing legal environment for those operating in the cannabis sector.
Donald Trump’s Stand On Cannabis Legalization
Support for Legalization Under Certain Conditions
In a shocking move, Donald Trump came out publicly in August 2024 to support Amendment 3 in Florida, which would make cannabis legal for adult-use. He felt the taxpayer monies being used could be better spent and didn’t believe people should be arrested for what he called minor marijuana offenses. That’s a big shift for Trump from his previous position on marijuana; during his presidency, he largely deferred to states on the issue but stopped short of calling for legalization at the federal level.
Tight Regulation and Control
While Trump has shown an openness to legalization, he has also sounded the need for strict regulation and control. He expressed fears that deadly additives, such as fentanyl, might find their way into the products of marijuana and demanded stringent quality control measures in that regard. Trump has also taken a special interest in vaping products containing THC, like Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC, and feels they ought to be placed under increased supervision so as to make sure their safety and that they are not abused.
Political Consequences of Legalization
Economic Aspects
One of the most compelling arguments in favor of the legalization of cannabis is that it could bring in a host of economic benefits. States where it has been legalized show significant inflows of tax revenue; for example, Colorado has collected over $1.5 billion since legalization. These monies are being used to support educational programs and improve the infrastructure within the state. The extra room provided by legalization also allowed new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses dealing with the cannabis industry: from growers to dispensaries, and those peripheral areas like packaging and marketing—the economic impact has been considerable.
Social and Legal Consequences
Other than the economic benefits, there are also positive social and legal consequences of legalization. The rates of crime have gone down due to the other minor cannabis offenses that cause the reallocation of law enforcement resources. Overcrowding in prisons has diminished with fewer people being incarcerated for marijuana offenses. Similarly, strengthened regulation around THC products, including those in the form of vaping, may have a positive impact on the safety and quality of the products available. This could have public health benefits, especially if younger users are more susceptible to the potential harms from these products.
Republican Party vs Democratic Party: Policy Comparison
Republican Stance and Trump’s Proposal
The Republican Party has been generally more cautious in its approach to cannabis legalization. Many Republicans have emphasized the need for public safety and the strongest possible regulation. Trump’s position reflects that approach. He does support legalization at the state level, but only with strong quality control measures and oversight. That position affords a certain degree of maneuvering at the state level while keeping some federal control—it’s a balancing act that tries to respond both to the legalization advocates and those concerned with the risks.
Democratic Position
The Democratic Party has generally been more supportive of cannabis legalization. Several high-profile Democrats, including now-Vice President Kamala Harris, have called for full federal legalization, arguing that such a change would right past wrongs of racial disparities in enforcement and also give a boost to the economy. Democrats see the legalization as one of the means to reform the criminal justice system and fix all the damages created by the war on drugs; they believe decriminalization and expungement of past cannabis convictions are key points that should be elaborated under this approach.
Impact on Voters
Cannabis legalization has become an increasingly important issue for voters, particularly among younger and more liberal demographics. Both parties have recognized this and sought to appeal to voters through their stands on the issue. Trump’s more measured approach, stressing legalization but with strict regulation, may be more palatable to those conservative voters who are open to the idea of legalization but leery of the risks. The Democrats’ more progressive stance may appeal to those who see legalization as a matter of social and criminal justice reform. Ultimately, the outcome of the 2024 elections may, in part, depend on how effectively each party articulates and sells their vision for the future of cannabis policy in the United States.
Conclusion
With the elections now in 2024 view, the future of cannabis legalization precariously hangs in the balance. Donald Trump’s stance—one that prescribes supporting legalization within a framework of strict regulation—bridges the divide to a middle ground that would allow states to continue experimenting with the legalization of cannabis, addressing concerns over public safety and youth use. More progressive is the stand of the Democratic Party platform, which calls for federal legalization and criminal justice reform, appealing to those who view prohibition on cannabis as a failed policy that has done much damage, especially to communities of color. The ultimate course that cannabis policy will take in the next several years will be determined by the outcome of the 2024 elections and the priorities of those in office. No matter which party is in power, the public discourse will be led by the issues in dealing with the legalization of cannabis and regulation of THC products, including vaping ones. In fact, decisions taken in the next couple of years will have far-reaching implications with respect to public health, criminal justice, and the economy.
