Advocates for cannabis reform have waited with bated breath to see if the Trump administration would take action on the topic. A change to pot policy was on the table when the Republican regained control of the White House, including a now-stalled effort to reschedule the plant on the federal level. Despite Trump’s assertion on the campaign trail that he favored reform, the president has remained relatively quiet on the subject since Inauguration Day. This week, the White House finally provided a bit of clarity.
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The administration was responding to news that an ad campaign reminding Trump of his commitments to change cannabis policy would soon debut in Washington, D.C., and near Mar-a-Lago. The commercials also criticize former President Joe Biden for his “failure” to honor his promise on drug law reform and accuse Canada of “cashing in” on America’s conservative stance on pot. A Trump official reportedly told CNN that “no action is being considered at this time” in reference to cannabis reform.
While those hoping for progress may be disappointed by the news, it wasn’t all bad. CNN also reported that Trump’s transition team tried and failed to secure banking access for marijuana companies during negotiations on a government spending bill last December. The president had previously stated he supported easing restrictions on law-abiding cannabis businesses.
Another welcome sign from the Trump administration came this week with the nomination of Sara Carter for director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). According to Marijuana Moment, Carter said on her podcast that cannabis is a “fantastic“ way to handle illness and side effects from cancer treatment. She also asserted she “has no problem” with legalization.
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On the flip side, a fact sheet released by the White House last month declared the decriminalization of cannabis in Washington, D.C. a “failed policy.” The memo was a companion to an executive order creating the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The statement could be considered a diss on cannabis reform, but the fact that the nation’s capital relies on a “gray market” rather than creating a regulated cannabis industry could inspire lawmakers to finally act.
The vast majority of Americans support cannabis legalization, and President Trump, at one time, had his voice in the chorus. However, the wishy-washy approach to pot policy early into his second administration has left many wondering if change will ever come. Once again, it’s a “wait and see” situation that will likely bring the subject back into the spotlight come midterm elections next year.
