Kamala Harris and Cannabis: A Love Story, Kinda
Vice President Kamala Harris has spent the last four years navigating the tricky waters of cannabis reform and criminal justice in the United States. With a background as a former prosecutor and California attorney general, Harris has found herself in the unique position of having to balance her past with the demands of a rapidly evolving political landscape—one where cannabis legalization is increasingly seen as inevitable and criminal justice reform is a rallying cry for progressives.
Cannabis Reform: From Opponent to Advocate
Kamala Harris’s stance on cannabis has undergone a significant transformation. Early in her career, she was not exactly the poster child for cannabis legalization, often sidestepping the issue and maintaining a tough-on-crime approach. However, as the political winds shifted, so did Harris. By the time she was elected as Vice President in 2020, Harris had become one of the most prominent advocates for federal cannabis reform.
One of her most notable contributions came as a co-sponsor of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. This legislation, which passed the House but stalled in the Senate, sought to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, expunge the records of those convicted for cannabis offenses, and establish a fund to reinvest in communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. While the MORE Act has yet to become law, Harris’s involvement in its development and promotion has kept the issue at the forefront of national discourse.
As Vice President, Harris has continued to push for cannabis reform, albeit with the limitations that come from being the second-in-command rather than the top dog. She has advocated for the decriminalization of marijuana, supported efforts to reclassify it from a Schedule I to a Schedule II substance, and called for the expungement of criminal records related to cannabis. However, the Biden administration has been cautious in fully embracing legalization, and Harris’s role has largely been one of advocacy rather than direct policy-making.
Criminal Justice Reform: A Balancing Act
Criminal justice reform has been another area where Harris has sought to make an impact. Her experience as a prosecutor has given her a deep understanding of the system’s flaws, and she has been vocal about the need for change. Over the past four years, Harris has championed several initiatives aimed at reducing mass incarceration, addressing racial disparities in the justice system, and promoting police reform.
One of the cornerstones of her efforts has been her support for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which aimed to address police misconduct, ban chokeholds, and limit qualified immunity for law enforcement officers. While the bill has faced significant obstacles in Congress, Harris has remained a staunch advocate, pushing for its passage and working to keep the conversation on police reform alive.
Additionally, Harris has been a vocal supporter of sentencing reform. She has backed efforts to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses and has advocated for the use of alternative sentencing, such as drug courts, to divert individuals away from the prison system.
The Bottom Line
In summary, Kamala Harris has walked a fine line, especially with cannabis, over the past four years, balancing her past as a prosecutor with her current role as a reformer. On cannabis, she has shifted from a cautious opponent to a vocal advocate, pushing for federal decriminalization and expungement of past offenses. On criminal justice reform, she has used her platform to promote significant changes in policing, sentencing, and incarceration practices. While the results have been mixed, with legislative successes proving elusive, Harris’s efforts have kept these critical issues in the spotlight, setting the stage for potential future reforms.
