Support for legalizing marijuana is at its highest point since Gallup began surveying it. More than two-thirds of Americans support legalization.
What You Need To Know
Nearly 68% of Americans support legalizing marijuana
Republicans and Democrats have expressed support for decriminalizing marijuana, but no bills have been sent to president's desk
President Joe Biden ran on decriminalizing marijuana, but he hasn't revisited the issue
“It’s time for Congress to take action and enact policies that express the will of the people,” said Marijuana Policy Project Deputy Director Matthew Schweich.
Although a growing number of states have legalized marijuana, it’s still technically illegal by the federal government.
Schweich said that’s left some states in a difficult spot.
“To have this massive conflict makes no sense” Schweich said.
Decriminalizing marijuana nationally would allow banks to conduct transactions with cannabis companies and likely lead to other states legalizing the drug.
President Joe Biden ran on decriminalizing marijuana but since taking office he hasn’t revisited the issue.
“I’m disappointed … for any politician to claim that social justice is extremely important issue to them and then turn around and do nothing on cannabis … is extremely frustrating,” Schweich said.
Spectrum News reached out to the White House for a statement but didn’t hear back.
While decriminalizing marijuana has typically garnered more public support from Democratic lawmakers, Republicans are also starting to come on board.
“The beauty of this bill is if you hate cannabis then I’m not forcing your state to make it legal, but if you like it, and it’s legal in your state, then you can use it,” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said.
Mace, who is in her first term, recently introduced a bill to decriminalize cannabis nationally.
The bill attracted some Republican support but also opposition, including from within her home state.
Mace said she wants to work with both political parties to get marijuana decriminalization passed.
“It’s past time to do this quite frankly ... this issue isn’t controversial across the country. It’s really only controversial to people in D.C. or to those that are in office and are afraid to support it,” Mace said.