Where Kamala Harris Stands On Marijuana
She and Biden don't exactly see eye to eye on the subject.
Unless you've been hiding under a rock (or have used quarantine as a much-needed excuse to hide from 2020), you'll know that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has announced his VP pick as California Senator Kamala Harris. On a majority of issues, the two have much in common, but Harris and Biden are on opposite ends when it comes to one: The prospect of legalizing marijuana.
Biden hasn't fully supported the legalization of weed. Meanwhile, Harris has come around to support the idea—but she says she has no plans to push her beliefs on Biden. But Harris wasn't always on board with the legalization of marijuana! I present to you: a complete guide to Harris' evolving position on everyone's favorite green leaf.
At first, Harris only supported medical marijuana.
When Harris was first elected as California attorney general in 2010, she opposed the initiative to legalize marijuana. "Spending two decades in court rooms, Harris believes that drug selling harms communities," said her campaign manager, Brian Brokaw, to Capitol Weekly. "Harris supports the legal use of medicinal marijuana but does not support anything beyond that."
Four years later, when she was campaigning for attorney general again, a reporter asked about her opponent's support of cannabis legalization. She paused for a moment before laughing while replying that he was "entitled to his opinion."
She also opposed California's marijuana legalization ballot measure that voters ultimately approved in 2016.
Harris has recently endorsed multiple acts supporting marijiuana legalization.
Harris started to come around in recent years, and has endorsed numerous bills pertaining to marijuana. Some examples include:
- In 2017, she co-sponsored the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow cannabis businesses to work freely with banks and have no fear of punishment.
- She and NY Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the Fair Chance at Housing Act that would prohibit drug and alcohol testing as a requirement to being admitted into government-supported housing.
- She endorsed the Marijuana Justice Act. This would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, and get rid of criminal penalties for anyone who exports, manufactures, distributes, anything with weed.
- She's also a co-sponsor for the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, which is an updated version of the Marijuana Justice Act, with the overall goal of decriminalizing marijuana.
In her 2019 book The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, she spoke in favor of cannabis legalization.
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"Something else it's past time we get done is dismantling the failed war on drugs—starting with legalizing marijuana," wrote Harris, adding that, "we need to expunge nonviolent marijuana-related offenses from the records of millions of people who have been arrested and incarcerated so they can get on with their lives."
Harris revealed she'd smoked pot before.
Early on in her presidential campaign, Harris appeared on the radio show, "The Breakfast Club," and co-host Charlamagne Tha God asked if she had ever smoked weed. "I have. And I inhaled, I did inhale. It was a long time ago, but yes," the Californian senator responded.
Harris explained that she smoked a joint in college while listening to Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur, but someone on Twitter was quick to point out that couldn't be factually correct. Harris graduated Howard University in 1986 and UC Hastings College of the Law in 1989, but it would be years before the rappers released any music.
Hear what #KamalaHarris thinks about legalizing marijuana 💬 pic.twitter.com/YGZlCAKUZ0February 11, 2019
Harris told the host, "Look I joke about it, half joking—half my family's from Jamaica—are you kidding me." She continued, "I have had concerns, the full record, I have had concerns, which I think, first of all, let me just make this statement very clear, I believe we need to legalize marijuana... Now, that being said, and this is not a 'but,' it is an 'and,' and we need to research, which is one of the reasons we need to legalize it. We need to move it on the schedule so that we can research the impact of weed on a developing brain. You know, that part of the brain that develops judgment, actually begins its growth at age 18 through age 24."
Harris' father, Donald Harris, called his daughter's remarks on the radio show "a travesty." In an interview for the Jamaica Global Online, he said:
"My dear departed grandmother (whose extraordinary legacy I described in a recent essay on this website), as well as my deceased parents, must be turning in their grave right now to see their family's name, reputation and proud Jamaican identity being connected, in any way, jokingly or not with the fraudulent stereotype of a pot-smoking joy seeker and in the pursuit of identity politics," he said. "Speaking for myself and my immediate Jamaican family, we wish to categorically dissociate ourselves from this travesty." Harsh!
Correction: We previously wrote Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. We apologize for the error.
Voter Merch to Help You Spread the Word This November
Mother x I Am a Voter Socks
Thanks to MOTHER, your sock game has never been stronger. Through December 31, 2020, MOTHER will donate $5 of the purchase price from each pair of socks sold to I am a voter.
La Ligne NYC x Cleo Wade F*cking Vote Tee
La Ligne partnered with poet, author, and activist Cleo Wade to create this super cute "F*cking Vote" tee. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards Stacey Abrams' Fair Fight to help fight voter suppression.
Vote Necklace
Everyone was obsessed with Michelle Obama's "Vote" necklace, displayed here, that she wore during her speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
Adult Statement Face Mask (3-Pack)
A denim "Vote" mask? Say less. Gap is donating up to $25,000 each to When We All Vote and Rock the Vote.
Vote Necklace
This chic "Vote" necklace comes in two styles—one (spaced) retails for $360 and the other (script nameplate) retails for $480. One hundred percent of the proceeds will support the Black Voters Matter Fund dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement by increasing power in marginalized and predominantly Black communities.
Reimagine Your Vote Crop Top
Re—inc's "Reimagine Your Vote" crop top is part of Michelle Obama's Vote 4EVER Merch drop featuring products from Black- and women-owned businesses in support of her nonpartisan organization, When We All Vote. While most of the merch is already sold out, you can take a look at what's still available here.
Vote Hat
Speaking of what's still available, that includes this "Vote" hat. Twenty percent of the net sales will be donated to When We All Vote.
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Vote Mask
For every "Vote" mask purchased through November 3, 2020, Banana Republic will donate $5 to Rock the Vote.
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Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from each Fossil embroidered mask purchase will be donated to Team Rubicon—a non-profit that provides relief to those affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
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Fifty percent of the proceeds from these cute 14k gold "Vote" earrings will go to organizations that "amplify, celebrate and support Black voices," according to the brand's website.
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From the same brand that brought you the popular "nasty" bracelet in 2016, Stella and Bow will donate $30 from each "Voter" necklace sold to I am a voter.
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This Fabletics tee says it best: Exercise! Your! Right! To! Vote! Then tell everybody you know to do the same.
I Vote Necklace
Ten percent of all proceeds from this fun "Watch Out I Vote" necklace will be donated to I am a voter.
Vote Face Masks, Set of 2
Phenomenal Voter Sweatshirt
Meena Harris, niece of Democratic VP nominee Kamala Harris, is the CEO & founder of the Phenomenal brand that supports a range of non-profits, including the Black Futures Lab, Justice for Migrant Women, and The Council on American-Islamic Relations. Purchasing this "Phenomenal Voter" sweatshirt is the perfect way to contribute to Harris' brand, as well as these other organizations.
Vote Mask
Resistance by Design partnered with Fair Fight Founder Stacey Abrams to create this purple "Vote" mask, seen on everyone from Rep. Ayanna Pressley to Megan Rapinoe. Fair Fight will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Southern Center for Human Rights.
CV x When We All Vote Canvas Tote
Clare V. partnered with When We All Vote to create this chic canvas tote. Ten percent of the purchase price will be donated to the nonpartisan non-profit, which is co-chaired by former first lady Michelle Obama, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, and more incredible people.
When We All Vote's mission is to "increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American."
Voting Stars Flats
Birdies launched its limited-edition collection of hand-painted leather flats, available in five different styles, in collaboration with creative studio Leftys Right Mind to encourage people to register to vote.
I Am a Voter Hat
I am a voter is a non-profit organization working to inspire people to vote and participate in democracy. The org's "I am a voter" hat will help remind people that they, too, can be a voter. After all, a true democracy only exists when we all vote.
Vote Beanie
November is coming, which means you'll probably get a lot of use out of this beanie once October arrives.
#TheTeeInVote Long Sleeve
Find a chicer crew neck than this Michael Stars long sleeve with an illustration of writer, activist, and feminist organizer Gloria Steinem's face in the corner. According to the brand, $50,000 of sales will benefit grassroots organizations led by women of color, including Black Voters Matter, Voto Latino, and March On.
When We All Vote x Brother Vellies Canvassing Sneakers
Brother Vellies teamed up with Keds to create cute sneakers that say "when we all vote" on the side. Brother Vellies will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to When We All Vote.
Vote Tote
Help spread the word and provide 10 school meals to kids in need when you purchase this FEED vote tote. A portion of proceeds will also go towards When We All Vote.
I Am a Voter Sweatpants
These sweatpants were made for quarantine. Through Election Day, Richer Poorer will donate 50 percent of the purchase price of these sweatpants to I am a voter (up to $8,960).
Big Ballot Energy Sweater
Don't mind me—I'll just be living in this hand-stitched "Big Ballot Energy" cashmere sweater from Lingua Franca NYC all the way through November.
Vote Graphic Unisex Tee
Found: a cute unisex tee where all proceeds will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
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Support the Human Rights Campaign and keep your neighbors safe by purchasing this vote face mask. It's a win-win for everybody.
Vote Socks
Raise your hand if you will be swapping your ankle socks for these thick, comfy vote socks for the foreseeable future
Vote T-Shirt
One-hundred percent of the net proceeds of Tory Burch's vote T-shirt will benefit Eighteen x 18, a platform to engage our generation founded by Yara Shahidi.
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Pre-pandemic, this Levi's cropped vote tee would have been an ideal shirt to wear with a leather jacket to the bar. The brand has teamed up with Rock the Vote for a larger initiative to get the word out, and your purchase is a part of it.
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Technology! This QR code tote directly links to Vote.gov to encourage people to register to vote. A portion of the proceeds also go to I am a voter.
Vote Short Sleeve
Lingua Franca has so many good voter merch options that it was hard to choose between the "Big Ballot Energy" sweater and this cashmere "Vote" short sleeve shirt.
Vote Necklace
Rosario Dawson and Mira Sorvino have been spotted wearing this "Vote" charm from Alex Woo. It's available in two options with quite a dramatic price difference: The silver charm is $148 and the 14k gold charm is $648. As they say, a timeless piece!
"V Is for Vote" T-Shirt
Although this super cute T-shirt from Read Receipts UK is currently sold out (a portion of the proceeds are donated to She Should Run), do yourself a favor and continue to check the brand's website for a restock. In the meantime, take two minutes to register to vote here.
Bianca Rodriguez is the Audience Development Manager at Future, covering fashion, beauty, and more for Marie Claire, Who What Wear US and Who What Wear UK. In addition to spearheading SEO content across brands—whether writing about wardrobe must-haves or strategizing how to make eye-catching content—she is also an avid reader with a deep love and knowledge for books of all genres. More often than not, you can find her lounging with a good book on the weekend.
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