Vice President Kamala Harris and rapper Fat Joe led a White House discussion on Friday regarding the federal government's classification of marijuana and potential changes to existing penalties. Harris expressed her belief that it is unreasonable for marijuana to be considered more dangerous than fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for numerous deaths in the United States each year.
Harris, a former state prosecutor, criticized the current classification of cannabis as unjust and called for a swift resolution to the ongoing review process. The discussion, moderated by Fat Joe, included Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and individuals who had received pardons for past marijuana convictions.
President Joe Biden has pardoned thousands of individuals for federal marijuana possession and commuted lengthy sentences for nonviolent drug offenses. In 2022, he encouraged governors to pardon state-level offenses, leading to Kentucky's initiative to pardon individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession.
A significant majority of U.S. adults support the legalization of marijuana, with even higher levels of support among younger demographics. Harris emphasized the urgency of the review being conducted by the Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice, which are reevaluating marijuana's classification.
The vice president highlighted the disparity in how marijuana is classified compared to substances like heroin and fentanyl, stressing the need for a fair and evidence-based approach to drug policy. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has been a major contributor to the opioid crisis in the country.
Regulators are considering reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a move that would acknowledge its potential medical benefits and reduce restrictions on its use. President Biden has publicly supported the review process and advocated for individuals not to face criminal penalties for marijuana use.
The roundtable discussion also touched on other healthcare issues, with Fat Joe expressing his interest in price transparency. The closed-door portion of the meeting allowed for more in-depth conversations on the topic, with a focus on the potential impact of changing marijuana's classification.
