Biden’s Election Day Trick
President Joe Biden’s recent move regarding marijuana could wield significant influence over the upcoming 2024 election landscape, potentially serving as a pivot point in his relationship with young voters and garnering support from independents.
In a groundbreaking decision late in 2022, Biden directed the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a thorough examination into the potential reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 substance. Such a reclassification would lift it from the category shared with heroin and cocaine, positioning it alongside medically utilized treatments like testosterone and ketamine.
More recently, the Department of Justice announced that Attorney General Merrick Garland had initiated steps toward proposing the reclassification of marijuana, signaling a significant shift in federal policy. This development coincides with Biden’s broader efforts to address key concerns of younger voters, such as the forgiveness of student loan debt and the pursuit of environmentally sustainable policies.
Nevertheless, Biden’s support among young voters, a demographic where he enjoyed a considerable lead of over 20 points in 2020, has been waning, particularly amidst the conflict in Gaza, sparking protests and counter-protests on college campuses nationwide.
Critics of Biden argue that the move to reconsider marijuana’s scheduling is merely a political maneuver aimed at winning over young voters ahead of the election. However, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre maintains that Biden is fulfilling a promise made during his 2020 campaign to address the unjust ramifications of marijuana possession, particularly in communities of color.
Democratic operatives familiar with Biden’s campaign strategy express hope that this action will bolster his electoral prospects, though they emphasize that the primary motivation is principled rather than strategic. They argue that recognizing the medicinal properties of cannabis is long overdue and aligns with public sentiment.
On the other side of the aisle, many Republicans, who generally exhibit lower support for marijuana legalization, have criticized Biden’s proposal. They contend that marijuana usage is linked to increased violent crime and decreased workforce productivity.
The stance of former President Donald Trump on marijuana remains uncertain for the 2024 campaign. While he acknowledged its popularity among voters in a 2023 interview, he also emphasized its perceived harmful effects.
Biden’s move reflects the evolving politics surrounding marijuana, with recent polls indicating substantial public support for legalization. Additionally, several critical battleground states have already legalized or decriminalized marijuana, potentially reshaping the electoral landscape.
Despite the multifaceted implications, the White House has observed the resonance of marijuana as an election issue, evident in the enthusiastic response to Biden’s remarks regarding marijuana possession compared to other policy proposals.