Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a GOP presidential candidate for 2024, has reiterated her position that marijuana should be legalized as a state-by-state issue without federal intervention.
Haley was asked if she would legalize marijuana if elected as president during a town-hall event in Iowa a few days before the Iowa state caucus.
She said, “I did it in South Carolina for medicinal cannabis. But I think that’s a matter of state by state.” “I believe that this is something that should be decided by the people and I think all states should have the right to do so.”
This is similar to comments she made last May when , she described herself as “a state’s rights person” in response to a question about cannabis policy.
Haley’s latest comments claim credit for the legalization of medical marijuana in South Carolina. However, her law as governor was highly restrictive and only allowed low-THC cannabis for specific patients who had a doctor’s prescription.
A key Republican Senator is now pushing to have a vote next month on a GOP proposal.
Haley, who served as the United Nations ambassador under Donald Trump, does not have a very extensive cannabis background. Haley has expressed an openness in the past to continue conversations with advocates and legislators about cannabis.
In 2014, South Carolina’s then-governor signed a bill that legalized industrial hemp and removed the non-intoxicating form from the definition of marijuana in the state.
Her cannabis record appears to be light and this is only the second interview she has given since joining the presidential race.
Her position on states’ rights aligns her in general with Trump and Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis (R).
DeSantis, however, has also talked about letting the states navigate legalization. He’s expressed his personal opposition to this broad reform, and stated last summer that should he be elected, he would not decriminalize marijuana at the federal level.
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