Caribbean American VP Kamala Harris and Her Evolving Views on Marijuana

News Americas, New York, NY, August 5, 2024: Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, has had a complex and evolving relationship with marijuana. In 2019, while serving as a Senator and running for President, Harris made headlines when she humorously acknowledged her past marijuana use in a radio interview on “The Breakfast Club” podcast. When asked about her stance on legalizing marijuana, she quipped, “Half my family’s from Jamaica. Are you kidding me?”

Flanked by US musician Fat Joe (L) and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (R), US Vice President Kamala Harris (C) speaks during a roundtable conversation about marijuana reform and criminal justice reform, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP) (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

Harris revealed that she had smoked a joint in college and jokingly referenced former President Bill Clinton’s infamous comment by saying, “And I inhaled.” This light-hearted remark, however, did not sit well with her Jamaican father, Professor Donald J. Harris. He issued a statement to Jamaica Global Online, distancing himself and their family from the stereotype: “My dear departed grandmothers…must be turning in their grave right now…Speaking for myself and my immediate Jamaican family, we wish to categorically dissociate ourselves from this travesty.”

Despite this familial rift, Harris’ position on marijuana has become more progressive since, compared to her history as San Francisco’s district attorney. She supported the legal use of medical marijuana but opposed a 2010 measure to legalize recreational marijuana in California. During her tenure as DA, over 1,900 people were convicted for marijuana violations, though most were not incarcerated for low-level possession.

As California’s attorney general, Harris oversaw the incarceration of more than 2,000 people for marijuana-related offenses. Yet, she remained reticent about her stance on legalizing recreational marijuana during her 2014 reelection campaign.

Harris’ perspective shifted significantly when she became a U.S. Senator. She introduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which aimed to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level, and allocate funds to support communities disproportionately affected by drug enforcement policies. “Times have changed – marijuana should not be a crime,” Harris declared, advocating for the expungement of marijuana convictions.

During her time as Vice President, Harris has championed significant cannabis reforms. She supported the Biden administration’s offer of pardons for federal marijuana possession convictions and advocated for reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. In a notable moment, comedian Jimmy Kimmel joked about a marijuana strain named “Kamala Kush” during an interview with Harris.

Morgan Fox, political director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), praised Harris for being a strong advocate for ending cannabis prohibition and addressing its associated harms, particularly in relation to criminal justice reform.

In 2022, President Biden directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review marijuana’s classification. By March, Harris was calling on HHS and the Justice Department to expedite the reclassification process. She pointed out the absurdity of marijuana being considered more dangerous than fentanyl and urged for a change in national policy. “Nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed,” Harris asserted on social media.

The Justice Department’s subsequent move to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act marked a potential shift in federal marijuana policy. This reclassification would acknowledge marijuana’s lower potential for abuse and allow it to be lawfully prescribed as medication.

As Vice President Kamala Harris continues to navigate her political career, her evolving stance on marijuana reflects broader changes in societal attitudes and underscores her commitment to reforming outdated policies. As President, advocates expect Harris would at least ensure the HHS and the Justice Department move to expedite the reclassification process.