Trump vs. Harris: The Battle for Young Voters and the Cannabis Vote in 2024

In a surprising twist for the 2024 election, Donald Trump has taken a bold stance on marijuana legalization, signaling a direct challenge to Vice President Kamala Harris in the race to win over young voters and cannabis supporters. By aligning himself with pro-cannabis policies, Trump is attempting to court a demographic that has traditionally leaned Democratic—voters under 35 and particularly young Black men, who show strong support for marijuana reform. This strategic move sets the stage for a showdown between the two candidates over an issue that could be pivotal in swaying a tight election.

Trump, who has long been a teetotaler, recently declared his support for several pro-cannabis policies, including backing a Florida ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana. This shift seems to be an attempt to tap into the growing popularity of marijuana legalization among young voters.

A 2022 Pew Research survey found that 61% of Black men and nearly two-thirds of voters aged 18 to 25 support legalization. Recognizing this, Trump is leveraging his evolving stance on cannabis to potentially chip away at key Democratic constituencies.

The former president’s unexpected advocacy for cannabis reform could help soften his image among younger voters who view marijuana legalization as a litmus test for progressive policies. By positioning himself as a pro-cannabis candidate, Trump is not only aiming to attract the youth vote but also attempting to diversify his base by appealing to segments of the electorate that have felt neglected by traditional Republican platforms.

Vice President Kamala Harris also finds herself at the center of the cannabis debate, albeit with a more complicated history on the issue. As San Francisco district attorney, Harris opposed a 2010 California ballot measure that sought to legalize recreational marijuana, overseeing a substantial number of marijuana convictions. Critics have used this to question her credibility on cannabis reform.

However, Harris’s views on marijuana have evolved over the years. Once in the Senate, she supported federal decriminalization and played a key role in discussions around clemency during the Biden administration. Despite this shift, Harris has not made cannabis a focal point of her current campaign, leaving some young voters questioning her commitment to the cause.

Trump's move into the pro-cannabis territory places him in direct competition with Harris for a crucial voting bloc. While marijuana legalization may not be the most pressing issue for the general electorate, it holds significant sway among younger voters who prioritize progressive social policies. By advocating for marijuana reform, Trump is attempting to present himself as more in tune with the desires of younger generations.

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake noted that Trump's stance could indeed spark interest from disengaged voters. “Cannabis is obviously very, very popular with young people. He has some strength with younger white, alienated men, who are very pro-cannabis,” Lake explained. This strategy could be Trump’s way of making inroads with young voters, potentially giving him an edge in crucial swing states.

Both Trump and Harris face unique challenges in their quest for the cannabis vote. For Trump, his previous administration's mixed record on marijuana could deter some supporters. Although he’s now championing marijuana reform, his former attorney generals, Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr, took a hardline stance against cannabis. Sessions even repealed the Cole Memo, an Obama-era directive that protected state-legal cannabis industries from federal interference.

This inconsistency has led to skepticism among cannabis advocates, with some questioning whether Trump's recent support is genuine or merely a political tactic. Weldon Angelos, a criminal justice reform advocate pardoned by Trump for a cannabis-related conviction, expressed concerns about what future Trump appointees might do regarding cannabis policy.

Harris, on the other hand, faces criticism from within her party and from cannabis advocates who feel the Biden administration has not gone far enough. While the administration has made moves to loosen federal marijuana restrictions, it has stopped short of full legalization. Maritza Perez Medina of the Drug Policy Alliance pointed out, “It puts Democrats in an awkward position because what Biden has done is totally insufficient.”

Harris’s own evolving stance on cannabis adds another layer of complexity. Her past as a prosecutor overseeing marijuana convictions contrasts sharply with her more recent support for decriminalization. This dichotomy raises questions about her commitment to cannabis reform and whether young voters will find her current position convincing.

In a race that promises to be closely contested, the cannabis issue could play a pivotal role. While marijuana legalization may not be the defining issue for the majority of voters, it serves as a significant indicator of where candidates stand on broader issues of personal freedom, criminal justice reform, and economic policy.

Trump’s public embrace of marijuana reform is a gamble that could pay off by attracting young voters who are disillusioned with the current political landscape. If he successfully convinces this demographic that he is genuinely committed to cannabis reform, it could sway the margins in key battleground states.

Harris, meanwhile, must navigate her complex history on the issue and clarify her current stance to maintain support from young and progressive voters. Her challenge lies in bridging the gap between her past actions and present policies to present a consistent and convincing platform on cannabis reform.

As the 2024 election approaches, the battle for young voters and the cannabis vote is heating up. Trump's surprising pivot toward marijuana legalization sets up a direct competition with Harris for a demographic that could be crucial in determining the election’s outcome. Both candidates’ evolving views on cannabis highlight the issue’s growing importance in American politics and its potential to influence the direction of the upcoming race.

Whether this issue will be the deciding factor in a tight election remains to be seen, but it is clear that both Trump and Harris recognize the power of the cannabis vote. Their differing approaches to the issue could shape the political landscape for years to come.

Who do you think has a more convincing stance on marijuana legalization in the 2024 election, Trump or Harris?