Would someone please explain to me why Biden

[AntivaxHunters]

does not support the full legalization of weed, including recreational use please?
Because I am NOT getting it at all.
This is a huge bipartisan issue and a win for both midterms and the general in 2014.

I am trying to understand what's up with this & having a difficult time doing so especially since I use edibles to manage my pain because I can't do opioids due to a prior addiction to Hydrocodone post-surgery while hospitalized.
I'm in Colorado. Obviously it's legal here.

If someone can please clue me in why Biden doesn't support it I would grateful.
Thank you.

[ripcord]

1. I think it is more that he is spending political capital on other things he considers more important

Like gun control, Ukraine and the baby food shortage, I think legalizing cannabis is low on his list of priorities right now.

[brooklynite]

2. Its also low on the list of most voters.

Doesn't mean they wouldn't like it, but it won't have an impact on most people's lives if it does or doesn't happen.

[AntivaxHunters]

3. It's a simple EO though

and through the primaries he specifically said he doesn't support it. Hmm, hopefully he'll come around like he did on gay marriage.
It's a big election winner! I have faith he will.

[Darwins_Retriever]

42. An EO would just effect federal agencies that enforce federal drug policies

It would not effect state laws and enforcement.

[Indykatie]

4. I Think Biden's Thinking on Weed Has Been Influenced by Hunter's Addiction

[AntivaxHunters]

6. Thank you

I hadn't even thought of that. Appreciated!

[BlackSkimmer]

18. Hunter is not addicted to cannabis, and sadly this shows Joe seems to have the old

school thinking my mom used to have. I have smoked weed off and on throughout my life. Never used other drugs.

It makes me sad that someone can't point this out to him.

[NCLefty]

38. It is thought to be psychologically addictive to some. I have seen this--and progression to other

drugs in my own family, by multiple members.

[LakeArenal]

5. Maybe he does think it's unhealthy. Therefore not on his top agenda items.

I love pot. Want it everyday. But even for me not on the top 10.

[AntivaxHunters]

8. It's a matter of perspective I think

For me it's very important because it impacts me greatly.
I have to pay for it out of pocket & to do so I have to do fundraisers on Twitter asking my followers to donate to help me.
I'm far from alone having to do that.
I'm on Medicaid. But since it's not legalized federally, Medicaid obviously won't pay for it.
To be frank, it sucks.

[GoodRaisin]

31. Sadly, I don't think a lot of people think (or care) about the medical implications of slow

movement on cannabis prohibition so I doubt it will be a big election issue this time. If Democrats don’t have it very high on their lists of concerns, how low will it be for “conservatives”? It seems to me this is a bigger issue for people who are hoping for better ways to control pain and there just aren’t enough of us to make it matter.

[JohnSJ]

7. Except for Bill Maher, it is hardly the most important issue that voters are concerned about now

BEFORE the midterms

Fuel prices and the cost of living trump that

[AntivaxHunters]

9. Wellp....

It would certainly motivate voters given it's popularity so I can't see anything but a plus side here.

[JohnSJ]

11. I don't think it would move the needle one iota

[AntivaxHunters]

14. I very much disagree

Keep in mind these polls are from 2019.
Support has only grown since then.

Why so many Americans now support legalizing marijuana, in 4 charts
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/why-so-many-americans-now-support-legalizing-marijuana-in-4-charts

[obamanut2012]

10. Because his generation thinks it's a DRUG

Except for when they need it -- I see these elderly(80+) folks at the Trulieve here allll the time, and they often are in "snowbird car boats" with Trump, Rubio, DeSantis stickers. Repubs here voted overwhelmingly for making mmj legal, except for 65-70+ GOPers.

[Ocelot II]

12. Many voters don't care that much. I sure don't.

I'd very much like to see medical marijuana readily available everywhere, but I couldn't care less about recreational weed. I do believe that states shouldn't restrict the use of medical marijuana to treat only a few designated conditions, as mine does, and maybe those rules should be federalized. But I don't think Biden wants to expend political capital on whether people can use weed to get high, an issue that's far less important to most voters than, say, gun violence, reproductive freedom, and fascism in the government.

[AntivaxHunters]

16. Gun violence?

You know, I don't recall anyone stoned on weed shooting up anything lol
maybe that's the solution lol

[uponit7771]

37. Do you have any data on this? There are tons of Americans who's communities have been decimated

... by bullshit assed mj charges who care.

Thx in advance

[jalan48]

13. Eventually, when younger Democrats take the reins we'll turn the page and move on.

[SYFROYH]

15. That reminds me one of the funniest parts of the Democratic Primary

When Senator Booker called out VP Biden on his stance on cannabis.

[mcar]

17. He's got a lot of other things to deal with

I don't think he sees it as a huge midterm win.

[RussBLib]

19. the US will have recreational weed

I just hope I don't kick the bucket first. It will likely include a states option whereby any state could choose to NOT sell it within their borders.

[MichMan]

24. Isnt that essentially how it is now?

States have been permitted to legalize it and quite a few already have. Some have not

[RussBLib]

34. pretty much

but I think the federal green light would help move some states toward recreational. Probably not Texas, as long as the Dems are still in charge in DC

[ripcord]

45. Federal regulation really hurts the industry.

They can't take credit or debit cards, that is why so many have ATM machines and having that much cash on hand leads to more robbery attempts.

[MichMan]

20. Considering all the health issues caused by tobacco...

why legalize something else that is commonly smoked ?

Yes, I know there are other ways to ingest it. I smoked it myself for many years before quitting well over 15 yrs ago. I never believed that it was good for my health.

[Voltaire2]

22. Nobody is being arrested for possessing cigarettes.

Well other than Eric Garner, but he was executed rather than arrested.

[MichMan]

23. Has the DOJ under AG Garland been arresting people for marijuana?

It's not being enforced anyway

They've obviously chosen to ignore it on a Federal level and states have been permitted to legalize it.

[Voltaire2]

25. 2500 federal arrests 2020

Yes the DEA continues to terrorize people over weed.

[MichMan]

26. Was Garland the AG in 2020?

[Voltaire2]

21. Because the leadership is stuck in the 90's.

They cannot take a popular issue and make it theirs. They learned their lessons and can’t unlearn them
We need new people in top positions.

[Ferrets are Cool]

27. I just can't agree with all the "he's got more important things to do' posts

It would take him a few moments to "assign" someone to handle this for him and another moment for him to sign the paperwork.
It's not like he would be doing it by himself.

[bigtree]

29. maybe he's doing that

...I'd think implementing that huge policy change would need to coordinate with states to make certain it doesn't conflict with other initiatives, and meshes well with existing state regulations.

Mostly, though, he's likely waiting for Congress to develop a consensus on their own bill. I'd guess he doesn't want to preempt that effort with his own executive action.

But he doesn't really support full legalization yet, I think.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated Friday that Biden does not support the bill — without explicitly saying so — but added that he would support some reforms.

“As the president said during the campaign, our current marijuana laws are not working,” Psaki said. “He agrees that we need to rethink our approach, including to address the racial disparities and systemic inequities in our criminal justice system, broaden research on the effects of marijuana and support the safe use of marijuana for medical purposes.”

Psaki added, “We look forward to working with Congress to achieve our shared goals and we’ll continue having discussions with them about this objective.”

Timeline for marijuana legalization bill slips in Senate
https://thehill.com/news/senate/3269145-timeline-for-marijuana-legalization-bill-slips-in-senate/

[GoodRaisin]

30. Me either. He campaigned on his support to decriminalize cannabis.

And to the OP’s point, there are people who need more options for controlling their pain that are being denied the chance to even try it - by ignorant politicians who don’t know what it is like to live in pain.

I’m generally a supporter of what he has accomplished while in office, but disappointed he hasn’t taken actions on this campaign promise. Having “other things to do” is not a reason, it is an excuse.

[bigtree]

28. mass shootings, war in Ukraine, climate concerns, gas price and other inflation, insurrectionists

Last edited Mon Jun 6, 2022, 10:02 PM - Edit history (1)

....I should have read your post, but I've really had enough of placing all of the onus on Biden, especially eith all that he's dealing with, both substantive and political.

[AntivaxHunters]

35. This makes me sad

because it lacks any sort of class consciousness at all & I view this as an attack on me & others who use weed to deal with our pain.
Did you even bother to read what said in my original post?
Do better like a lot

[bigtree]

36. medicinal pot is a good bet right now

...it's recreational weed that's in doubt.

Read what I posted in #29. That's the reality right now, and Biden isn't ready to jump ahead of the Senate on this. It should be obvious why.

Sorry about your situation.

[denbot]

32. Kick n/t

[kacekwl]

33. PRESIDENT BIDEN

Please.

[NCLefty]

39. I think both parties are saving this for a "hail mary" in some election.

But both are afraid of a backlash if they move first.

And just what WOULD Republican attacks against Democrats look like, after we legalized one? I think we all know, and it would not be pretty.

Still, I think it will happen, and sooner rather than later. A touch more patience, perhaps...

[maxsolomon]

40. Because on SCHEDULE 1 NARCOTICS, Presidents lead from behind.

Obama did, on legal weed and gay marriage - he didn't stand in the way, but he didn't cheerlead on it either.

Biden would sign a bill, I believe, but it will take Congress to legalize it. Weed has been defacto decriminalized in states all across the nation, with very few negative effects.

That doesn't mean federal decriminalization would overcome a GQP filibuster. They don't want to hand Biden a win, period.

[GoodRaisin]

41. 14 states still don't have decriminalized marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes.

I live in one of them (North Carolina), and can't get access to mj to treat chronic pain. The alternative is opioids. The other stuff doesn't work.

I would simply like to see President Biden take as strong a stance on decriminalization as candidate Biden did during his campaign.

[maxsolomon]

43. I'm aware that decriminalization is not everywhere.

Again, the GQP will do everything it can to prevent Biden/Dems from getting a win. 5 months before a midterm, Biden's not going to give them any pro-weed soundbites to distort in attack ads, either.

It's going to be state-by-state, and we're getting down to the ones that will never ever ever ever condone the demon weed.

You might have to drive to Virginia.

[GoodRaisin]

44. Yeah, you're probably right about that.

There aren’t likely 60 votes in the Senate for the House bill anyway. In truth there’s not much chance Biden ever sees a bill.

North Carolina has a Senate bill passed now that the NC House might vote on in 2023. Don’t think that will pass either but who knows.

[maxsolomon]

49. From the perspective of WA State,

the entire edifice of Marijuana Prohibition just seems absurd.

It's been legal 9 1/2 years here, and stores have been open for 9 - I've almost forgotten what a hassle it was to find weed. I was terrible at it.

Good luck with your drive to VA. I recommend you try a 5:1 CBD/THC ratio vape cartridge (although they probably have the 20:1)! There are also strains that are high CBD if you prefer flower. There's so much choice now.

[GoodRaisin]

52. I'd actually prefer the edibles

but would do flower or really any method that improves pain levels. Driving to Va. is not really an option because you have to drive back, and NC is still busting people like it’s 1970. Getting busted at my age and in my condition isn’t an option. Waiting it out is the only safe option if you live under our gerrymandered, Taliban legislature. Wish I could move, but too many kids and grandkids here. Thanks for the recommendations, hope I can pursue them someday.

[maxsolomon]

53. You're unlikely to be stopped unless you provide a reason.

Speeding, for instance, or buying from a store within sight of the state line (like how OH cops set up telescopes to bust OH people buying liquor in KY). Especially at an advanced age, in a non-flashy vehicle.

If you're not comfortable with the risk, don't do it. Just hit your Kids and Grandkids up!

[GoodRaisin]

58. I have a sister up in VA about 2 hours

from the state line. They don’t have any stores in VA. But, they can grow 4 plants legally, and if she can order the right seeds to grow the right strains I need, maybe try that out. If it helps just spend more time at her place until North Carolina’s ignorant politicians get out of the way of progress.

[Kaleva]

47. Does NC itself have laws against possession or use of MJ?

Even if there was no federal law against MJ, one still has to follow state law.

[GoodRaisin]

50. It's illegal to possess mj in NC.

Would not decriminalization at Federal level remove that?

[Kaleva]

54. No it wouldn't. The state law itself would have to be repealed by the state legislature.

[GoodRaisin]

55. What is your source for that?

Not that I don’t believe you, but I haven’t been able to find anything that definitively says that, I’ve looked, and I am not an expert on law. Most everything I’ve read about the MORE ACT doesn’t address at all the impact of the law on states that mj is still legal in. If it doesn’t impact states that are still illegal, what’s the point?

[Kaleva]

46. In Michigan, there are pot shops most everywhere.

[Kaleva]

48. Decriminalizing weed at the federal level won't overturn state laws against it.

[Mysterian]

51. Because he's wrong

This is a wrong that Biden refuses to right.

[krawhitham]

57. Because he's old and Hunter started with weed

It's hard to convince some (specially boomers & older) that weed is not a gateway drug