Kamala Harris' Plan to Boost Black Communities with Cannabis Legalization

Vice President Kamala Harris recently announced her support for federally legalizing cannabis. She believes this could help Black communities. Currently, some states have legalized cannabis, but it's still illegal at the federal level. Harris' plan, called the "Opportunity Agenda, " aims to help Black men. It includes improving access to addiction treatment and providing loans for Black business owners. The agenda was released at a Black-owned business in Pennsylvania. Harris hopes to appeal to Black voters with this plan. Harris wants to decriminalize cannabis because she sees how it disproportionately affects Black men. She thinks legalization could help Black communities and the economy. The plan also focuses on Black men's health, promising to increase screenings for conditions like prostate cancer. Some people worry that this plan is just a political move. They think some Democrats use Black Americans for identity politics. However, Harris says she has been working on economic agendas for years. She wants to put more money into community banks. Legalizing cannabis could help communities that have been disproportionately criminalized for marijuana possession. It's important to consider the health of these communities, says Frederika Easley, president of the Minority Cannabis Business Association. Racial disparities still exist in states that have legalized cannabis. Despite legalization, arrests for Black and brown people haven't decreased much. President Biden has taken some steps, like pardoning people for marijuana possession. Former President Trump has also shown support for legalization. Harris' stance on cannabis has changed over time. As a district attorney, she didn't support legalization. But in 2019, she sponsored a law to decriminalize marijuana. Her evolution reflects changes in public opinion. It's unclear how Harris could get federal legalization passed. But her plan addresses the over-policing of Black communities and the economic consequences. It's a significant step, says law professor Steven Bender.