What Presidential Candidates Think About Marijuana Policy And Legalization

Marijuana supporters are not psyched with the direction the ongoing presidential campaign is taking, especially with the selection of Mike Pence and Tim Kaine as the vice-president candidates for the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively. Both VP candidates have publicly opposed changing marijuana laws.

Of course, there are more important issues than marijuana right now, but this is certainly a hot topic voters want to know about. So, what are Trump’s and Clinton’s positions on marijuana legalization and overall policy?

Hillary Clinton

Clinton has voiced her support for medical marijuana and for the re-categorization of the drug from a Schedule I substance to Schedule II substance, in line with the Democratic Party’s platform. However, before pushing for legalization, Clinton said she wanted to further study the issue. Clinton “seems to have been influenced, in part, by Bernie’s compassionate and sensible position on decriminalization,” Steve Gormley, managing Partner of private equity firm 7th Point said recently.

For her part, the presidential nominee stated, “I would like to move it from what is called Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 so that researchers at universities, National Institutes of Health can start researching what is the best way to use it, how much of a dose does somebody need, how does it interact with other medications.”

Moreover, her website adds that the government should, “Focus federal enforcement resources on violent crime, not simple marijuana possession… allowing states that have enacted marijuana laws to act as laboratories of democracy.”

Gary Johnson

However, the candidate that piqued marijuana backers' interest the most has been Gary Johnson. As a fiscally conservative, socially liberal Libertarian, Johnson has repeatedly expressed his support for the legalization of marijuana and even served as the president and CEO of Cannabis Sativa Inc CBDS until last January.

Related Link: 1 Out Of Every 10 Americans Wants Gary Johnson As President; But Who Is This Guy!?

Donald Trump

Finally, there’s Trump, who seems to not have made up his mind yet on the issue. While the Republican Party seems to be more against legalization than for it, Trump ultimately looks like an advocate of the status quo right now – no matter whether he decides each state can do as it pleases or not.

In the '90s, he was openly in favor of legalizing weed. However, his position has changed several times since then — and even over the past few months.

However, one thing looks quite certain, Trump is all for medical marijuana. “I know people that have serious problems...and...it really, really does help them,” Trump told Bill O’Reilly.

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Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no interest in any of the securities or entities mentioned above.