Joe Biden supports decriminalizing marijuana, stops short of calling for legalization

[highplainsdem]

https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/16/politics/joe-biden-marijuana-decriminalization/index.html

Joe Biden supports decriminalizing marijuana, a Biden campaign spokesman told CNN, but the former vice president isn't going as far as calling for the drug to be legalized on the federal level.

"Nobody should be in jail for smoking marijuana," Biden told voters at a Tuesday house party in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Asked by CNN if the former vice president supports legalizing marijuana, Andrew Bates, a Biden campaign spokesman, said Biden believes the drug should be decriminalized and that decisions on legalization should continue on the state level.

"As he said [Tuesday], Vice President Biden does not believe anyone should be in jail simply for smoking or possessing marijuana. He supports decriminalizing marijuana and automatically expunging prior criminal records for marijuana possession, so those affected don't have to figure out how to petition for it or pay for a lawyer," Bates said in a statement to CNN.

-snip-

[msongs]

1. joe says no to legalizing pot nt

[PoliticAverse]

2. So if it is "decriminilized" on the Federal level what does that mean - DEA agents...

will be issuing tickets to people for possession?

[Blue_true]

18. States would have to follow. No local arrests of people that have recreational amounts.

In my state of Florida currently, being caught with a joint and no medical MJ card is a felony, although I suspect that police are backing off some since we legalized Medical MJ via the ballot close to three years ago.

[BannonsLiver]

3. Sigh.

[Honeycombe8]

4. Nope. I want legalization. But he's getting closer.

If I believe his change in stance from "it's a gateway drug," which was always a ridiculous stance.

[Va Lefty]

5. I agree. Hopefully his position will continue to "evolve" like Obama did on gay marriage

[Mr.Bill]

6. It can be statistically proven

that breast milk is a gateway drug.

[MineralMan]

7. Decriminalization can probably get through Congress.

Legalization would have a much harder time.

As usual Joe Biden is taking the realistic approach.

With more and more states legalizing the drug, this decriminalization would remove one of the last roadblocks for other states.

It won't be that long before it's legal everywhere, except in some deep red states.

[highplainsdem]

10. +1,000,000

[BootinUp]

8. For a national campaign it makes sense. Nt

[NYMinute]

9. Relax. This is a position for the GE

It means he is for legalization but can't say it until he is elected first.

[LongtimeAZDem]

14. And if he said it now, it would look like unnecessary pandering

[Blue_true]

19. We may have legal Weed on the 2020 ballot in Florida. nt

[crazytown]

11. "automatically expunging prior criminal records for marijuana possession"

Is a step forward, and the right thing to do.

[highplainsdem]

12. Agree. A very smart step forward.

[SouthernProgressive]

13. Solid move by Biden. NT

[BannonsLiver]

15. The problem with this is that it doesn't solve problems within the industry.

For starters most banks won’t do business with grow operators or dispensary owners because of the federal schedule 1 status and legal exposure. That means owners have difficulty securing loans, and also have to pay huge security costs to protect the large amounts of cash on the premises. Many of these are small business owners.

You’ll find a lot of bankers in states where it has been legalized that want this issue resolved because they want the business.

There is currently a bill in the house that provides some resolution to this particular issue but it’s unlikely to ever come up for a vote in McConnell’s senate despite bipartisan support.

[Blue_true]

20. Federal decriminalization would automatically deschedule Weed.

So the banking and finance issue would take care of itself.

[Scurrilous]

16. K&R

[Blue_true]

17. I am for decriminalization 1000% up to several pounds.

I am a little less enthused about legalization, but would vote for it if that was the option presented. In Florida, I think legalization may be on the 2020 ballot.

[Gothmog]

21. Symone Sanders is a great spokesperson

Link to tweet