A Call to Action: President Trump, It’s Time to Reform America’s Outdated Marijuana Laws
As two individuals who have been deeply impacted by cannabis, we are heartened by President Donald Trump’s recent statements supporting long-overdue reforms to U.S. cannabis policy. His commitment to rescheduling cannabis, ensuring banking access for cannabis businesses, and granting clemency to individuals serving federal sentences for cannabis offenses reflects a bold vision for justice and economic opportunity.
For years, cannabis reform has been a promise made but rarely kept in Washington. President Joe Biden, who campaigned on decriminalizing marijuana, expunging records, and releasing those incarcerated for cannabis, failed to deliver. His recent clemency wave, which granted commutations to nearly 2,500 people, largely bypassed marijuana offenders. This failure to prioritize marijuana clemency is perplexing, especially considering that individuals serving time for marijuana-related crimes are among the most deserving of relief.
Meanwhile, cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin, under federal law. This outdated classification prevents legitimate cannabis businesses from accessing banking services, forcing them to operate in cash, which invites crime and hampers growth. Despite controlling Congress and the presidency for two years, Democrats failed to deliver meaningful cannabis reform.
As two individuals who have worked with the Trump administration on cannabis reform, we know that President Trump is a man of his word. He has the vision, courage, and determination to finally make cannabis reform a reality. His support for cannabis rescheduling, banking reform, and clemency underscores his understanding of what’s at stake – for the economy, for justice, and for the thousands of families torn apart by outdated cannabis laws.
Rescheduling cannabis and granting clemency to those imprisoned for it are essential steps toward correcting these injustices. We agree with President Trump that it’s time to “pass common sense laws, including safe banking,” and that it’s hard to have people in jail for something that is now legal in many cases.
The time for meaningful change is now, and we are optimistic that President Donald Trump will be the leader to get it done. Rescheduling cannabis, supporting banking for the industry, and granting clemency to Americans incarcerated for marijuana are not partisan issues – they’re American issues. They represent fairness, opportunity, and a long-overdue commitment to equality under the law.
