One post from the President Joe Biden account recapping the State of the Union Address stood out in terms of engagement. “Nobody should be jailed for just using or possessing cannabis.”
The cannabis post, which was the most liked, shared and viewed on Thursday night, on the official X account (formerly Twitter) of the President, seems to confirm an increasingly evident political reality: marijuana is popular.
Biden is not the only one who has jumped into the debate. Many advocates and legislators have also joined in after President Obama made an historic comment about his cannabis pardons and schedule review at the annual high-profile event.
The official POTUS Twitter account’s post on marijuana offers an interesting metric even if it is not scientific. The post has received thousands more shares and likes than other posts that highlighted hot-button topics during Biden’s address.
As an example, at the time of publication:
- Marijuana: 77,000 Likes
- Set a minimum tax of 25 percent for billionaires. 62,000 Likes
- Border security: 16,000 Likes
- Gun Safety: 9,400 Likes
- 7100 Likes Affordable Housing
- Climate Change: 4,900 Likes
- Early childhood education: 4,800 Likes
- Health: 4,200 Likes
- Voting Rights: 11,000 Likes
- Prescription drug affordability: 3.900 likes
Nobody should be imprisoned for possessing or using marijuana.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 8, 2024
The president misrepresented the extent of his administrative action on marijuana by falsely claiming that he had expunged thousands records, when in reality, a pardon is not enough to clear a record.
Biden’s marijuana moves could benefit him in November, according to a recent survey.
The survey showed that after the public was made aware of the possibility cannabis could be rescheduled as part of the Biden review, the favorability for the president increased.
Several lawmakers and advocacy groups also weighed in on the marijuana reform debate in response to the President’s speech.
In a Thursday press release, Rep. Earl Blumenauer said that the President’s remarks represent “an acknowledgment that cannabis reform not only is inevitable but also wildly popular.”
He said that “the issue helped Biden win the White House in 2020, and further progress will make it happen again in 2024.” “There’s more work to be done as we remove marijuana from the Schedule I substances and end federal prohibition,” he said.
Rep. Jerrold N. Nadler (D. NY) said that the president was “right” in saying that cannabis users should be jailed.
@POTUS has it right. In 2024, marijuana will be legal in all 50 states. No one should go to prison for cannabis offenses. That’s why we need to pass my #MOREAct to decriminalize marijuana, expunge the records of those who were imprisoned, and reinvest in… https://t.co/k0Xeg8hsD4
Rep. Nadler 8 March 2024
He said that with marijuana legalized across the country, “no one should be in jail for cannabis-related crimes in 2024,” adding that this is the reason that “we need” to pass his Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE), to federally legalize and expunge previous records.
Nikki Fried was also aware of the historic remarks made by the President. She previously served as Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner.
I believe that this was the first time…cannabis has been used in SOTU! !
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) March 8, 2024
Meanwhile, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-PA, said Biden should’ve used his speech to speak about Marc Fogel. An American who was imprisoned in Russia for possession of medical marijuana since 2021.
Marc Fogel is the person President Biden needs to mention in his #SOTU speech.
The PA teacher, Brittney Grinder, was arrested for possessing medical marijuana in Russia, which he used to treat a severe back injury.
Bring him home!
— Guy Reschenthaler (@GReschenthaler) March 7, 2024
What advocates and stakeholders have to say about the speech
Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation
In a press statement, Andrew Freedman said, “Tonight was a historic occasion as the President of the United States spoke for the first ever about cannabis reform during the annual State of the Union Address.”
He said: “Let’s not mince words, Washington’s policymakers have long overdue to recognize that states are leading the way on cannabis policy without federal action.” “We applaud President Biden for his recent actions, such as his pardon announcement and support for the rescheduling of cannabis. There is still much work to do.
U.S. Cannabis Council
David Culver is the senior vice president of USCC’s public affairs. He said that the US Cannabis Council “applauds” President Biden on his decision to highlight cannabis reform during the State of the Union Address. The President has pardoned nonviolent cannabis offenders in a historic manner and launched a review of cannabis’ status under federal law. The President’s remarks tonight in front of a national audience show his commitment to cannabis reform. “We are encouraged by the remarks we heard tonight and hopeful that the Biden Administration is going to move cannabis to Schedule III in this year.”
American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp
Michael Bronstein, ATACH’s President, said: “The remarks made by President Joe Biden tonight in his State of the Union Address, where he acknowledged that no one should be jailed for possessing or using marijuana and that a review of the federal marijuana classification is underway,” signaled that the time has come for cannabis reform. Reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I into Schedule III will be a historic cannabis reform in US history.
He said: “We applaud the remarks of President Biden and his administration for their support in reversing decades of failed drug policy that have destroyed countless lives.” “Reclassification is in line with current science, medical research and public opinion. It also aims to rid America of outdated drug laws which have hurt marginalized groups for decades.”
Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform
Adam Goers said that President Biden had made history by addressing the cannabis reform issue during the State of the Union. “The President has a commitment to modernizing federal government’s cannabis policy, which he reiterated tonight before the American people. The move to Schedule III for cannabis would be a historic change in the drug laws of our country. We thank President Obama for his remarks, and we urge his Administration to move forward with the rescheduling.
American Cannabis Collective
It’s a political malpractice to ignore those who brought him here. Don Murphy, co-founder of the group, stated that black and brown voters who are most affected by drug prohibition revived his failed presidential campaign after he finished fourth and fifth in New Hampshire and Iowa, four years ago. He promised to stop sending people into jail for simple possession. But the arrests are continuing, and the War on Drugs is still alive.
Carl Cameron, a co-founder of the ACC who was formerly a Fox News journalist, stated that “we don’t know why he keeps bringing up these supposed marijuana pardons. They aren’t real, no matter how much people might believe their rhetoric.”
He said: “Shame and shame to those who cover them up. Voters know when they’ve been misled, even when advocates don’t hold them accountable.”
Curaleaf
It’s an important moment for the nation to hear President Biden mention cannabis rescheduling during his State of the Union address. Matt Darin CEO of Curaleaf said that this level of support for cannabis reform on the federal level was long overdue and demonstrated a powerful point of leverage in cannabis’ political campaign. “We hope the DEA follows President Biden by rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I into Schedule III this coming year.”
He said that rescheduling could contribute to the de-stigmatization and growth of the plant. “For Curaleaf the removal of 280E could translate into savings of over $150MM in excess taxes. Reduced tax burden will allow cannabis businesses to flourish and realize their full potential.
Poseidon Investment Management
Emily Paxhia said, “This marks the first occasion that a President has acknowledged the necessity for cannabis reform in The State of the Union Address.” Each year, President Obama addresses the most important issues facing our country from his bully pulpit. According to the latest Gallup poll, the topics discussed in the State of the Union reflect the public’s will. The voters are overwhelmingly supportive of cannabis reform with a staggering 70 percent. The comments of President Biden tell us that the Executive Branch has been listening. We need to see the sentiment of the people reflected in the actions of the branches of government.”
Fact Check: Biden Falsely Claims That His Marijuana Convictions Were Expunged In State Of The Union Speech
Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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