Headline Roundup • September 10th, 2024
Trump Promises Marijuana Legalization Reform if Elected President
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Former President Donald Trump signaled he is in support of classifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug and would vote “yes” on a proposal to legalize it in Florida.
The Details: Trump made the comments on Sunday via his social media platform Truth Social.
For Context: Trump’s comments came just days before his first debate with Harris, which will take place on ABC News (Lean Left bias) on Tuesday night. The Florida proposal, Amendment 3, would allow the legal sale of marijuana to adults for any reason.
Key Quotes: Trump wrote, “As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws.” Joseph Costello, a Harris spokesperson, said in a statement on Monday, “Despite his blatant pandering, Donald Trump cannot paper over his extensive record of dragging marijuana reform backward.”
How The Media Covered It: Newsweek (Center bias) highlighted Republican perspectives that disagree with Trump. Reason (Lean Right bias) prominently wrote that “Unlike… Harris,” Trump “has not endorsed repealing federal pot prohibition.” Associated Press (Lean Left bias) prominently described Trump’s statement as “in line with Harris’ position.”
Featured Coverage of this Story
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AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Donald Trump has signaled support for a potentially historic federal policy shift to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, putting his position in line with that of his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris.
The commonality reflects a major shift toward broad public support for legalization in recent years and marks the first time that both major-party presidential candidates support broad cannabis reform, according to the U.S. Cannabis Council.
The Republican presidential nominee posted on his social media platform late Sunday that he would “continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of...
Grant Baldwin/GETTY
Donald Trump's support for an amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana in Florida for those aged 21 and over has sparked an angry response from some Republicans in the Sunshine State.
In November, Floridians are set to vote on the proposal, called Amendment 3, and on an abortion amendment that would establish a constitutional right to the treatment until fetal viability.
Trump's position on the proposal put him at odds with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whom he defeated to secure the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in an often bitter contest. In recent months, Trump has angered some of his...
John Angelillo/UPI/Newscom
Former President Donald Trump last night reiterated his support for legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida—and added that he favors rescheduling cannabis under federal law and removing barriers to banking services for state-licensed marijuana businesses. Unlike Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, Trump has not endorsed repealing federal pot prohibition, a move that voters overwhelmingly favor. But his recent statements on marijuana reform, coming just before his first debate with Harris, suggest he recognizes the potential political potency of this issue.
"As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and...
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