Washington: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris made a resounding statement on Friday, asserting that “nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed.” Her remarks came during a meeting at the White House where she discussed the topic with rapper Fat Joe and individuals who had been pardoned for marijuana-related convictions.
Highlighting the injustices of the past, Harris emphasized, “Far too many people have been sent to jail for simple marijuana possession.” This stance underscores a growing sentiment against harsh penalties for nonviolent drug offenses.
“Far too many people have been sent to jail for simple marijuana possession.” – VP KAMALA HARRIS
President Joe Biden, currently campaigning for a second term in November’s election, has been striving to connect with younger voters, many of whom are advocating for more progressive drug policies.
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Harris urged both the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice to expedite the reclassification of marijuana, advocating for its categorization as less harmful than substances like heroin. She criticized the current classification system, stating, “Marijuana is considered as dangerous as heroin and more dangerous than fentanyl, which is absurd, not to mention patently unfair.”
“Marijuana is considered as dangerous as heroin and more dangerous than fentanyl, which is absurd, not to mention patently unfair.” – VP Kamala Harris
Last year, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended reclassifying cannabis from its current designation as a “Schedule I” to a Schedule III drug, acknowledging its moderate potential for addiction. However, the final decision now rests with the Drug Enforcement Administration within the Department of Justice.
Despite significant progress in cannabis legalization across nearly 40 U.S. states, discrepancies remain, with marijuana remaining illegal in some states and at the federal level.
In her efforts to address these disparities, Harris convened a roundtable discussion that included Fat Joe, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and White House Director of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin. The discussion aimed to tackle issues related to drug policy reform and the disproportionate incarceration rates for drug-related offenses.
The United States incarcerates more individuals than any other nation globally, with a troubling statistic revealing that one in five of the 1.9 million incarcerated individuals are serving sentences for drug-related crimes.
By championing this cause, Vice President Harris is aligning herself with advocates for criminal justice reform and marking a significant step toward addressing the injustices perpetuated by outdated drug policies.
