A task force advising presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on drug policy is pushing for him to adopt a broader call for nationwide marijuana legalization. Now, Biden’s official stance includes decriminalizing cannabis possession, federally rescheduling it, expunging prior records, legalizing medical use and letting states set their own policies on recreational.
While that approach covers many of the bases for marijuana reform, some members of the task force say this more moderate position is insufficient and untenable—and perhaps more importantly, would not likely garner support from the progressive wing of the party, which is regarded as crucial for Biden to win the election. This has become more apparent in light of the movement to accelerate criminal justice reform and policing policies, which in the past have led to disproportionately high incarceration rates for drug offenses among people of color.
Racial disparities in drug enforcement have long been a problem, and some believe that treating such offenses as a public health issue—rather than a justice one—is the best way to redress past policies. As Biden formulates his policy on marijuana, he will have to balance calls for criminal justice reform—including marijuana legalization—with the reality that easier access to pot poses risks and dangers of its own, especially for adolescents and young people.