Ahead of the United States elections, every political move is read through an electoral lens. This week, President Joe Biden began a process that could reclassify cannabis as a lower-risk drug. Such a shift would reduce the long history of harsh enforcement against a substance that is more commonly used by younger people, yet disproportionately harms minority communities and marginalized populations.
A commentator described the move as a question of perception. One expert noted that it might create the impression that Biden is edging toward legalization. Currently, cannabis is regulated at a level alongside fentanyl, methamphetamine, LSD, and MDMA, while the proposed change would place it closer to prescription medicines like anabolic steroids. Yet the move carries potential pitfalls.
Analysts caution that the issue is not the legalization of marijuana. The commercialization would likely be tightly limited to specific therapeutic drugs. The proposal is now with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and a ruling could come before the early voting period. If Biden’s party retains control, Republicans have signaled they do not anticipate a major policy shift, even if the opposition candidate wins.
One legal expert explained that the administration wants the term accepted by the DEA rather than approved outright. The cannabis drug pathway would, in the long run, require the FDA to take the helm. Federal legalization remains distant, though roughly half the states already have more permissive policies.
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States: about 22 percent of the population, or roughly 61.9 million people, used it in 2022, the latest year with official figures. Highest usage by age occurred among those 18 to 25, at about 38.2 percent, equating to roughly 13.3 million potential voters.
Both presidential contenders face a challenge with younger voters. About 67 percent of people aged 18 to 34 feel dissatisfied with the available choices. The average age of the two leading candidates is well above typical political leaders, and many voters worry about whether the age gap makes it harder for them to relate to a younger electorate. Unlike some other democracies, voting in the United States involves a two-step process, which can complicate registration and participation for first-time voters.
While the incumbent leads in recent polls among younger voters, the margin is narrow and volatile. The share of 2020 voters under 50 is declining, which complicates the electoral math for the current president. The overall economic mood and foreign policy decisions, including positions on regional conflicts, also shape the younger coalition’s views and willingness to engage in the electoral process.
Age and privilege are often discussed together in the context of race. Both candidates are well past the average life expectancy in the United States, a factor that underscores access to high-quality private healthcare and a lifestyle that supports longer life. They far exceed the national median age and, in a diverse, multiethnic country, face challenges connecting with voters who do not see themselves reflected in a white, older leadership.
The potential reclassification of cannabis would particularly affect minority communities. Although lifetime cannabis use has been slightly lower among Black Americans than White Americans, studies show Black individuals face significantly higher odds of being stopped for cannabis possession. A study by a major university published by a leading medical association highlighted this disparity. Traffic stops and other low-level enforcement actions have historically fallen most often on communities of color, even though the rate of drug trafficking among different groups is comparable. In states that decriminalized the substance, such arrests for minor offenses dropped substantially, suggesting that removing cannabis as a crime could reduce biased policing. A prominent research center summarized this trend with a conclusion that reducing cannabis as a crime lowers policing records.
A public figure asserted that no one should face prison solely for cannabis use or possession. He pledged to rectify past harms tied to misguided policy. The discussion around reclassification continues to unfold as federal and state-level policies interact, with a broader public debate about how best to balance public health, civil liberties, and law enforcement priorities. ; .]