On Labor Day in 2022, Democrat John Fetterman, the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania at the time and running for the U.S. Senate, met with President Biden in Pittsburgh. Fetterman urged Biden to support the legalization of marijuana, to which the president expressed agreement. The Justice Department recently recommended easing federal restrictions on marijuana, a move seen as a step towards liberalizing the nation’s cannabis policy and potentially gaining political favor with the majority of Americans who support legalization.
Biden has been dubbed the “pot president” due to his recent actions on cannabis policy, which could elevate his appeal to young voters and advocates for criminal justice reform. Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon believes that Biden should embrace these changes more openly to show the public the significant progress made in the war on drugs. However, it is unclear whether marijuana policy is a top priority for younger voters compared to other issues.
Similar to his cautious approach to student loan cancellation, Biden has proceeded carefully with marijuana policy, reviewing options before rolling out a more moderate approach to rescheduling the drug. While some Republicans downplay the impact of Biden’s actions on marijuana policy, Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire views legalization as inevitable and is open to carefully regulated reform. The lack of strong Republican opposition to Biden’s marijuana policy signals a shift in the American political landscape regarding cannabis.
Journalist Reid Epstein recounts his search for Christine O’Donnell, the last Republican to run against Biden for the Senate in 2008. O’Donnell, known for her infamous “I’m not a witch” remark, suggested that her loss to Biden was due to voter fraud, a claim for which there is no evidence. O’Donnell adopted a political populism that foreshadowed Trump’s rise and now believes he was the rightful winner of the 2020 election. Despite her anonymous existence in Florida, O’Donnell’s past continues to be discussed in political circles.
In summary, Biden’s recent actions on marijuana policy reflect a broader shift in attitudes towards cannabis in America. While he has taken steps to ease federal restrictions, some believe he should do more to embrace and promote these changes. The lack of strong opposition from Republicans signals a changing landscape around marijuana policy, which could have broader implications for the future of drug legalization in the United States. Additionally, a look back at the last Republican to run against Biden sheds light on the changing political dynamics that have unfolded over the years.
