On Tuesday, the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki declined to say whether President Joe Biden would sign or veto a bill to federally legalize marijuana if it arrives on his desk. She noted that his cannabis policy position is at odds with broader proposals that congressional Democratic leaders are working on.
Reporters also wanted to know about his stance on marijuana banking reform. There is a disconnect between public opinion favoring legalization and the president’s opposition. Questions also arose about if Biden has plans to revisit clemency applications for those facing federal sentences over cannabis.
The response she gave to the questions about if Biden would sign or veto a bill to federally legalize marijuana comes on the unofficial cannabis holiday 4/20- many politicians, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), voice their support for comprehensive marijuana reform today.
Reporters continued to press Psaki on the Senate leader’s remarks and asked whether Biden would support legalization to end federal cannabis prohibition if Congress approved it.
“The president supports leaving decisions regarding legalization for recreational use up to the states. Rescheduling cannabis as a Schedule II drug so researchers can study its positive and negative impacts and, at the federal level, he supports decriminalizing marijuana use and automatically expunging any prior criminal records,” she said. “He also supports legalizing medical marijuana so that’s his point of view on the issue.”
Watch the full video on YouTube here.
Will Biden’s Position Change?
President Biden’s positions are notorious. But people want to know if his position on adult-use legalization is so strong that he would reject a reform proposal. Like those currently being drafted in the House and Senate to federally legalize marijuana.
When asked directly what the president would do if a federal legalization bill ended up on his desk. Psaki signaled that he wouldn’t be inclined to sign it. Stating “I just have outlined what his position is, which isn’t the same as what the House and Senate have proposed, but they have not yet passed a bill.”
Decriminalization and Incarceration
The reporter also asked about a pledge Biden made as a presidential candidate. For instance, when he said people incarcerated in federal prison over non-violent marijuana offenses should be released.
Psaki said that would be addressed if cannabis was rescheduled to Schedule II. Even though there are still serious penalties for offenses involving substances in this category. Psaki did not provide anything in terms of if the president is proactively pushing for the scheduling change.
SAFE Banking Act
Later in the briefing, reporters had questions about where Biden stands on legislation to protect banks. Specifically, banks that service state-legal marijuana businesses. They wanted to know if Biden supports legislation that keeps them from being penalized by federal regulators. The House approved the SAFE Banking Act on Monday.
Psaki said it was a good question, but she did not know. She said she would follow up later with a response.
Americans Support Legalization
When reporters pushed Psaki on Biden’s opposition to legalization despite overwhelming support among Americans. Psaki said that Biden is in favor of decriminalization and the legalization of medical marijuana. But he would like more research on the “positive and negative effects” of adult-use legalization.
These questions come not only on 4/20 but also with a concerted push to pass legislation to legalize marijuana. Currently both chambers of Congress are in control by Democrats. They want to take advantage of the opportunity to pass legalization legislation while they have do have control.
Chuck Schumer (D-NY) along with other lawmakers continue to work on a bill for legalization. Schumer said that he is working to push the president in a pro-legalization direction as they draft the measure.
In the House, Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said that he plans to reintroduce a legislation bill, the MORE Act. It cleared the chamber last year but didn’t advance in the Senate.
Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.