Skip to main content
Tags: biden | 2024 | election | cannabis

Biden Move to Reclassify Marijuana Seen as Political

By    |   Friday, 01 September 2023 12:45 PM EDT

President Joe Biden's administration is moving to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana ahead of the 2024 presidential election, reports the Washington Examiner.

The Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday sent its recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, a move seen by many as political ahead of the election to incentivize young voters to turn out and vote.

Schedule I indicates a drug has a high risk of abuse and no medical benefits.

"I think the administration wanted this to be done before the presidential election so they can see it through and it couldn't be derailed by a new administration," Kris Krane, director of cannabis development for KCSA strategic communications, told the Examiner. "And I think this will be quite a popular move."

A Pew Research survey released in November of last year showed a steep rise in public support for marijuana legalization, with 68% of adults saying the drug should be legal.

Some Republicans support the effort. But on the campaign trail, Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis has reaffirmed his opposition to marijuana legalization, arguing that the reform has led to an increase in the illicit market in Colorado.

"I think what's happened is this stuff is very potent now," DeSantis said during a recent campaign event in Iowa. "I think when young people get it, I think it's a real, real problem, and I think it's a lot different than stuff that people were using 30, 40 years ago.

"I think when kids get on that, I think it causes a lot of problems and then, of course, you know, they can throw fentanyl in any of this stuff now."

Ohio Republican Attorney General Dave Yost said the move "maybe makes sense in individual cases."

Solange Reyner

Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.

© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


Newsfront
President Joe Biden's administration is moving to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana ahead of the 2024 presidential election, reports the Washington Examiner.
biden, 2024, election, cannabis
304
2023-45-01
Friday, 01 September 2023 12:45 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved