President Joe Biden has announced his Democratic National Committee (DNC) leader nominee, and his name is Jamie Harrison. Mr. Harrison has previously held office as the South Carolina Democratic party leader. Most recently, he ran against Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) this past election. Unfortunately he lost against Senator Graham. While he was running for senator, Harrison made his stance on cannabis reform very clear. He stated that the criminalization of even the possession of cannabis has racist undertones. Criminalization continued to promote racial injustice in communities across the US.

“We know that marijuana arrests, including those for simple possession, account for a large number of drug arrests,” Mr. Harrison said. “The racial disparities in marijuana enforcement—black men and white men smoke marijuana the same rates, but black men are much more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession—is just unacceptable.”

Back in 2019, Harrison called out the War on Drugs on Twitter, stating that it was a war on the people. His called upon South Carolina to do something to offer equal opportunity for all its people. With such long standing views on cannabis, the potential to create positivity around reform is monumental.

Diversity

This nomination continues a trend that President Biden is diversifying his cabinet. Additionally, President Biden is surrounding himself with members who have slightly different views on topics than he does. For example, President Biden isn’t for the complete legalization of cannabis. However, he is for rescheduling it and decriminalizing possession and minor drug offenses. Harrison stated that cannabis needs to be fully legal and taxed like alcohol and tobacco in the country. 

If the DNC leader nominee puts pressure on the president to start reform, then there is a high chance of it succeeding and having reform begin across the country.

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