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Vice President Kamala Harris pledges to federally legalize marijuana, ensuring that access to cannabis is “the law of the land."
If elected, she will "break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back by legalizing marijuana nationally, working with Congress to ensure that the safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of recreational marijuana is the law of the land."
The Democratic presidential nominee’s cannabis plan to "legalize marijuana at the federal level to break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back" is part of what her campaign calls an "opportunity agend." (10/14/24)
As Vice President, Harris has repeatedly stated that Americans should not be incarcerated for marijuana use. She’s championed the Biden administration’s efforts to pardon low-level marijuana offenders and to loosen certain federal cannabis restrictions. And as the Democratic presidential nominee, she’s the first major party candidate to have ever called for the plant’s legalization and regulation.
Following the passage of Congressional amendments limiting the Justice Department from taking prosecutorial actions against those in legal marijuana states, Former President Trump consistently issued signing statements indicating that he believed that he had the power to disregard these amendments because he believed them to be unconstitutional. (Source)
Regarding Florida's 2024 Amendment 3, Trump said, "someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States.” (8/31/24)
Governor Walz has been an outspoken proponent of adult-use marijuana legalization and in 2019 he ordered state agencies to begin taking steps to prepare for a change in law.
Vance was among the nine members of the Senate Banking Committee who voted in the minority against the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act in September 2023. That bill is still pending floor action, and Democratic leadership has repeatedly described it as a priority without advancing it further, but Vance said he opposed it in part because he believes it would inadvertently make it easier for illicit operators to traffic other drugs such as fentanyl. Asked about his opposition to the legislation in April 2024, the senator argued that it “was crafted in such a way that actually would have opened up access to banking resources for fentanyl traffickers and others.” There’s no clear evidence that that’s the case, but Vance has more generally discussed his concerns with the fentanyl trade on several occasions. (7/15/24)
During a campaign event with the Milwaukee Police Association in Wisconsin, Vance said he spoke to a police officer who told him that "we’ve got fentanyl in our marijuana bags that our teenagers are using," echoing a claim about laced cannabis that’s been routinely contested by advocates and certain state regulators: "Look, I’m the parent of three young kids… A seven-year-old, a four-year-old and a two-year-old. We don’t have to worry about this yet, but I’m certain—because kids are kids—that one day, one of my kids is going to take something or do something that I don’t want them to take. But I don’t want that mistake to ruin their life. I want them to learn from it. I want their parents to be able to punish them. I don’t want our kids to make mistakes on American streets and have it take their lives away from them," he said, suggesting that he recognizes when his children grow up they may experiment with certain substances such as marijuana, but he’s more concerned with potentially lethal contamination. (8/16/24)
Senator Cory Booker supports federal legalization of marijuana through de-scheduling cannabis. Senator Booker has continued to be outspoken in his beliefs and has introduced bills to further the progress of marijuana reform. He also discusses the possible dangers of cannabis, supports more studies on the effects of it, and acknowledges the inequalities in the industry of marijuana.
Mike Testa is against the legalization of marijuana, one of his main reasons being that he thinks legalization will be put children in danger.
Vince Polistina is not outspoken on his stance on marijuana. He is the primary sponsor of Bill S3456 which requires detention of and parental notification when an underage person purchases or possesses alcoholic beverages or cannabis.
John Burzichelli supports the legalization of marijuana and sponsored bill A1708 which would have required circumstantial coverage for medical cannabis under workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance.
Paul Moriarty has made no readily available statements regarding their position on marijuana policy. However, they sponsored bill A4172 which protects employees from discrimination on the basis of off-hour marijuana use.
Senator Troy Singleton is very supportive of marijuana, especially medical marijuana and making it more accessible to patients. He has introduced proposals to make this possible including insurance coverage and the allowance of home grow.
Carmen Amato is very opposed to marijuana use and legalization, stating that it is dangerous for communities and children.
Senator Jim Holzapfel is extremely against marijuana legalization and is strong on his stance.
Senator Vin Gopal supports marijuana legalization and particularly supports home grow.
Senator Declan O'Scanlon supports legal, medical marijuana and has put forth efforts to make it more accessible to those who need it.
Senator Linda Greenstein supports decriminalization of marijuana and medical marijuana.
While Senator Shirley Turner has not always have been supportive of legalizing marijuana, in recent years she has expressed her support and has supported bills which do so.
Senator Andrew Zwicker has supported bills which involve marijuana legalization.
Patrick Diegnan supports medical and personal adult use marijuana.
Senator Joseph Vitale supports medical marijuana and states that it is a safer alternative to opioids.
Senator Joe Cryan has supported a bill which would require a limit to THC potency in cannabis products.
Senator Jon Bramnick does not support marijuana legalization.
Senator Nicholas Scutari helped legalize marijuana in New Jersey even after many colleagues told him it would be impossible. He does not support any policy that bans a person from using marijuana when they are off-duty.
Senator Douglas Steinhardt opposes marijuana legalization.
F. Parker Space is opposed to marijuana legalization.
Senator Anthony Bucco is not very supportive or against marijuana legalization although he does believe it was legalized too quickly.
Senator Joseph Pennacchio is strongly opposed to marijuana legalization.
John McKeon supports marijuana legalization.
Senator Teresa Ruiz supports marijuana legalization and understands how lack of legalization has negatively impacted different populations. She supports revenue from the cannabis industry to go back to those communities that have been been subject to these negative impacts.
Senator Robert Singer opposes legalization of marijuana but does support decriminalization.
Angela McKnight has made no readily available statements regarding their position on marijuana policy.
Senator Brian Stack does not show clear support or opposistion for marijuana legalization.
Britnee Timberlake supports marijuana legalization.
While he does not personally support marijuana legalization, Senator Paul Sarlo understands that people want legalization and he will work to ensure safety standards.
Senator Joseph Lagana supports decriminalization of marijuana.
Senator Holly Schepisi supports legalization when the majority also supports it.
Senator Kristin Corrado has expressed possible support of decriminalization but not legalization.
Lisa Swain has made no readily available statements regarding their position on marijuana policy; however, they have supported several bills in favour of the cause, especially cannabis businesses.
Bob Auth has made no readily available statements regarding his position on marijuana policy. However, he has voted against several bills supporting the cause.
Christopher DePhillips has not made any readily available statements regarding his position on marijuana policy, but has sponsored bill NJ A969, eliminating the sales tax imposed on medical marijuana.