A recent campaign video posted by Vice President Kamala Harris says the Biden Administration has “changed federal marijuana policy”. A campaign official says she has no plans to remove the video.
(Photo credit: Patrick Semansky/AP).
In the February 9 video meant to appeal to “young voters”, Vice President Harris said “We changed federal marijuana policy, because nobody should have to go to jail just for smoking weed.”
Despite the fact that the Biden Administration has not yet “changed federal marijuana policy”, the video has remained live for 16 days, accumulating over 435,000 views. Now, a campaign official says the Vice President has “no plans” to remove the video. The official refused to give further comments or to elaborate on the discrepancy between VP Harris’ statements and the facts.
As we noted on February 10, Harris’ video may have been posted prematurely. Although federal marijuana policy has not yet been changed, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is currently considering a request from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III, which would legalize the plant nationwide for prescription use. Congressional researchers call the change “likely“.
The request from HHS came after an over year-long review prompted by an executive order signed by President Biden in late 2022.
You can view the video by clicking here.
Polling released last month found that if marijuana is rescheduled prior to the November election, President Biden will experience an 11% boost in his favorability rating.
For a look at the three federal marijuana bills most likely to pass the US House and Senate this year, click here. For a look at the five states on track to legalize marijuana in 2024, click here.
