Mike Pence, the former vice president of the United States, has officially entered into the race to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2024. This brings his drug policy and actions back into the spotlight.
Pence, who was also governor of Indiana from 2001 to 2005, has been a long-time opponent of even incremental cannabis reforms at the federal and state levels. Pence, who was also Indiana’s governor, has long opposed even incremental cannabis reform efforts at the state and federal levels.
Over the 16 years he spent in Congress, he consistently voted against bills to protect state medical marijuana programs from federal interference.
He has stated that he does not approve of the decriminalization of simple possession. While he was governor, he encouraged the Indiana legislature’s criminalization of illicit drugs. He said that Indiana “leaned into the drug war” and signed into law an extensive criminal justice bill which included provisions for reducing penalties for simple possession of marijuana.
Pence was also against syringe-exchange programs, which are harm reduction resources meant to reduce the spread of diseases such as HIV through contaminated needles. However, under increasing pressure from public officials, he authorized the service.
He is competing against other GOP candidates including Donald Trump, his 2016 running mate, and former New Jersey Governor. Chris Christie (R), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former South Carolina Governor. Nikki Haley (R).
Mike Pence, Republican presidential candidate, on marijuana:
Legislation and Policy Actions
Vice president (January 2017 – January 2021)
In 2020, Vice President criticized lawmakers for trying to pass a bill bipartisan to protect banks who work with state licensed marijuana businesses from federal sanctions as part of the coronavirus relief packages. He said that the legislation passed by the House “actually mentions cannabis more than it does jobs.”
He said, “The American public doesn’t want a pork barrel bill to come out of Congress when there are real needs for working families.”
This was in line with the remarks made by Pence’s chief of staff who described the Democratic proposal, which included “all kinds of things that are totally unrelated to Coronavirus,” as a liberal wish list.
The top Pence employee said, “In one instance, they have guaranteed banking access for marijuana cultivators.” “That has nothing to do at all with coronavirus.”
Pence was vice president at the time when the Justice Department, under the administration , revoked the Cole Memo from the Obama era, which instructed federal prosecutors not to pursue actions against individuals who were involved in state-legal cannabis activities, except for a few limited circumstances.
In 2020, Justice Department asked federal court to order California marijuana regulators to disclose documents regarding certain licensed cannabis businesses . A federal court ruled they must comply.
The U.S. Government under the Trump-Pence Administration backed the World Health Organization’s recommendation to remove cannabis from the most restrictive category of global drug scheduling, but it was opposed to separate international cannabis reform proposals. This included one that clarified CBD is not controlled by international authorities.
One of the controversial administrative actions was a decision concerning immigrants and marijuana . U.S. In April 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released a memo that stated that immigrants who use marijuana or engage in cannabis-related activities such as working at a dispensary, even in states where the drug is legal, are not eligible for citizenship.
The Justice Department published a notice in December 2019 that they were seeking to use certain marijuana offenses (including misdemeanor possess ) as grounds for denying asylum to migrants.
The federal legalization by the President of 2018 Farm Bill of hemp was one of the most important cannabis developments that occurred under the Trump-Pence Administration.
Indiana governor (January 2013-January 2017)
As governor, Pence signed lengthy criminal justice legislation in 2013 that included provisions to decrease penalties for simple marijuana possession in Indiana–reclassifying possession of more than 30 grams as a class A misdemeanor rather than a class D felony, for example–while also increasing penalties for those who deliver cannabis.
He advocated increased criminalization while the legislation was moving through the legislature. saying “we need focus on reducing crimes, not reducing punishments” — and it was which reported Pence specifically wanted more serious penalties as part of this bill.
He stated.
Pence’s deputy head of staff took part at a 2016 summit that was focused on synthetic drugs and marijuana. The staffer stated that Governor Pence’s top priority is to ensure the safety and security of Hoosiers. He also “recognizes that drug abuse has a negative impact on our society.”
The Governor faced criticism after he refused to allow syringe-exchange programs in response to the growing health crisis. He eventually allowed the services.
Pence also enacted legislation that reinstated the 10-year minimum mandatory sentence for those convicted of selling heroin or meth if they had a previous distribution charge in their records.
A second bill he passed established a study commission for drug abuse issues at state and local level.
He also signed measures that promote the access to the anti overdose drug Naloxone, and grant immunity to people who call emergency services for people at high risk of overdosing.
IN is leaning into the war on drugs & will continue to go after those profiting from selling drugs to our kids pic.twitter.com/PVSwsBngnA
Governor Mike Pence 13 January 2016
At a signing event in 2016, Pence stated that “We will continue to save the lives of Indiana residents from overdoses by making these life-saving drugs available.”
Congress, January 2001 to January 2017
The then-congressman voted six times against appropriations to prevent the Justice Department using federal funding to interfere with the implementation of state medical marijuana programs. In 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2012, he voted against appropriations amendments to prevent the Justice Department from using federal funding to interfere with state medical cannabis programs.
He also supported Legislation, which passed the House of Representatives in 2008 and would have provided Mexico with assistance for anti-narcotics purposes.
On the Campaign Trail
Since entering the race to be the nominee of the party, Pence does not seem to have spoken about cannabis policy.
Previous Quotes and Social Media Posts
Pence stated that if he were elected, he would “not support the decriminalization” of marijuana during a 2012 gubernatorial discussion.
He said: “I’m going to be honest with you. Growing up in Indiana, I saw too many people get involved with marijuana, and their lives were sidetracked by it.”
He said: “We are going to see marijuana becoming a gateway drug for even worse addictions from their side.” “We must be more serious in Indiana about tackling the drug scourge, particularly meth. Decriminalization, I believe, is not the best path.”
In a debate in 2020, the vice president at the time criticized the current Vice President Kamala Harri for her prosecutorial history without directly commenting on marijuana reform as she had been asked earlier in the discussion.
Pence stated that “when you were the [district lawyer] in San Francisco and when you left your office, African Americans had a 19-fold higher likelihood of being prosecuted for minor drugs offenses than Hispanics or whites.” When you were the attorney general for California, you reported on the disproportionate imprisonment of blacks. You did not reform criminal justice in California.”
Pence argued for a proposed Mexican wall during a 2019 speech at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) headquarters, stating that it would aid drug interdiction efforts.
In 2016, he said that “Our state is leaning towards the war on drug and will continue to pursue those who profit from selling drugs our children.”
Marijuana: My Personal Experience
Pence does not seem to have publicly commented on his personal experiences with marijuana.
Marijuana Under A Pence Presidency
Former Vice President has been described as a drug warrior, who is not a fan of modest reforms such as decriminalization. However, he signed sweeping legislation at one time that included provisions to reduce certain penalties for marijuana possession.
He has also voted regularly against the protection of state-level marijuana programs in Congress. He subscribes to gateway drug theory and has criticized Democratic efforts to reform marijuana banking.
All of this points to a possible presidency where marijuana reform policy would not be a priority. However, it is unclear if he will actively work to disrupt the existing market as public support grows for reform and more state legalization legislation is enacted.
The first time that Mike Pence, Presidential Candidate Mike Pence’s Position on Marijuana was published is Marijuana Moment.
