Former President Donald Trump recently signaled support for a significant shift in marijuana policy, aligning his stance with Vice President Kamala Harris. This marks the first time both major-party presidential candidates have backed broad cannabis reform, reflecting a growing trend of public support for legalization.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Sept. 10, Trump expressed his intention to vote in favor of Florida’s Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.
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“It’s time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” Trump said.
He also emphasized the need for “smart regulations” and access to safe, tested products.
In addition to supporting the Florida measure, Trump announced his backing for a federal reclassification of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. This change would ease restrictions on medical research but would not fully legalize marijuana at the federal level.
Vice President Harris has also supported reclassifying marijuana but additionally advocates for its complete legalization nationwide. Harris’ campaign manager has criticized Trump’s stance, calling it “blatant pandering.”
The timing of Trump’s announcement could influence Tuesday’s debate if he decides to challenge Harris on her past cannabis-related prosecutions as district attorney of San Francisco.
Trump’s position marks a significant shift from the traditional conservative view on marijuana. He contrasted with other prominent Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who opposes the state’s marijuana ballot measure.
Trump’s endorsement could boost Amendment 3’s chances of passing, but it needs 60% voter approval to succeed. If it passes, Florida would become the 25th state to legalize recreational marijuana.
This shift in Trump’s stance mirrors a broader change in American attitudes toward marijuana. A Gallup poll from last year found that 70% of American adults support legalization, reflecting the evolving landscape of cannabis policy in the U.S.
