VP Harris Incorrectly States White House 'Changed Federal Marijuana Policy,' Advocate Weldon Angelos Calls Her Out

Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted out a campaign video last week enumerating the Biden Administration’s federal cannabis reforms while falsely claiming that certain policies had changed.

The video Harris used, clearly meant to appeal to young voters, featured a map that purports to highlight states that have legalized marijuana but it contains misinformation about which jurisdictions have ended criminalization, noted Marijuana Moment.

“We changed federal marijuana policy because nobody should have to go to jail just for smoking weed," Harris said, leaving many wondering what she was referring to.

Perhaps the 2023 cannabis pardons President Biden announced for thousands of people convicted for the use and/or simple possession of cannabis on federal lands and in the District of Columbia. Then there were the 6,500 federal cannabis convictions that were meant to be exonerated

In that no one was freed from prison for simple marijuana possession, nor cannabis has been reclassified under the Controlled Substance Act yet, many are questioning the VP’s statements.

Social justice advocate Weldon Angelos called the VP out.  "You haven't changed a single marijuana policy yet. Waiting on your DEA. They could still say no. And your admin hasn't released a single marijuana offender from prison. Pardoning misdemeanors doesn't actually do anything! Those convictions do not carry collateral consequences or civil disabilities. Pardon people with federal marijuana felonies and release people incarcerated for marijuana offenses and then you can take credit for doing something good."

Angelos, while 24 and working as a hip-hop music producer, was arrested and sentenced to 55 years in prison for less than $1,000 worth of cannabis. His case attracted national attention and sparked a broader conversation about the severity of cannabis-related punishments.

Angelos was released from prison in 2016 and immediately began helping others who were unfairly sentenced for cannabis possession. He co-founded a nonprofit Weldon Project, which is working to help nonviolent drug offenders. Angelos will attend the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Conference in Los Angeles.

See Also: From Trump’s Weed Pardons To Biden’s Policy, Hip-Hop Producer Weldon Angelos Has Had A Big Impact On Legislation

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Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Lawrence Jackson via Wikimedia Commons and Alesia Kozik via Pexels