Marianne Williamson is a 2024 Democratic Presidential candidate. She has criticized the Biden Administration and Congress for their slow pace on marijuana reform. She accused lawmakers of hypocrisy for not legalizing cannabis while they are using illicit drugs privately.
Williamson, at a Thursday campaign event in New Hampshire, answered questions about her drug policy platform. She reiterated her commitment to legalizing cannabis and psychedelic therapy if she were elected. Williamson also criticized the lengthy marijuana scheduling review that was directed by President Joe Biden.
Don Murphy, a member of the Marijuana Leadership Campaign and a lobbyist, asked Williamson specifically to comment on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent recommendation to move marijuana to Schedule III of Controlled Substances Act. This was confirmed by the release of hundreds of documents describing the scientific findings of the agency.
“I would de-schedule marijuana as a first step.” It’s ridiculous. The candidate responded, “Deschedule the prison time. Not only should everyone who has been in prison for marijuana-related offenses be released from jail but their records also need to be expunged.”
She then mocked the Biden administration review.
She said, “Oh, we were lied to by a 200-page HHS document that says marijuana is illegal.” “Can you believe it? ‘”
How long do you expect it to take? Williamson replied, “Isn’t it interesting?” “Let’s tell you what I have in my possession: the signature of the President of the United States!”
She ridiculed then the idea that Congress will follow up on the rescheduling recommendations with “hearings regarding marijuana”.
She asked. The hypocrisy in this situation.
Howard Wooldrige, a retired officer from Citizens Opposing Prohibition and a former policeman, asked the candidate later about her drug-policy stance. He said that while he appreciated her proposal to decriminalize all currently illegal substances, an unregulated market could still capitalize on it without regulating supply.
Williamson responded, “I hope you’ll look at my drug policies because they are exactly that.” “You begin with decriminalization. Then, you prepare a legalization plan. And, finally, you partner with harm reduction. There’s a ton of work to be done. “We can’t go straight to the legalization.”
She then went on to talk about racial disparities and drug criminalization, saying “this whole policy is ridden with injustice.”
The War on Drugs failed to resolve the problem that it was supposed to. The War on Drugs has created even more problems by fueling mass imprisonment and violence both at home and abroad. We’ve spent over $1 trillion on failed drug programs and continue to do so every year at $100 billion.
Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson). 18 January 2024
She said that most traditional politicians “won’t even touch” drug reform policy. That’s the issue. “Most traditional politicians won’t discuss the most important issues we face.”
Williamson’s reform agenda is one of the most ambitious of all the 2024 presidential candidates. She has differentiated her platform with unique propositions. For example, she redirects funds from the criminalization of drugs to fund a “national network” of free psychedelic therapy services.
She said that last month, “The War on Drugs failed to alleviate any of the problems it was supposed to solve.” “It’s only exacerbated the problem, fueling mass imprisonment and violence both at home and abroad.”
Minnesota Marijuana Regulators Recommend Fixes To Legalization Law To Speed Up Licensing And Open Minimum Of 381 Retailers
Image element provided by Matt Johnson.
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