Tracing Trump’s Views on Cannabis Legalization
When you think of big-ticket issues for the 2024 election, topics like inflation, crime, and immigration probably jump to mind. But there’s another conversation that’s been quietly heating up over the last decade. And that, of course, is the concept of legalizing pot. It’s not just a side note anymore—it’s something a lot of people care about.
In fact, a Pew Research study from 2024 shows that a whopping 88% of U.S. adults are on board with legalizing weed, whether it’s for medical or recreational use. And we’re talking across the board—Democrats, Republicans, young people, older folks—it’s a full-on mainstream movement now.
So, what makes this year extra interesting?
Both major presidential candidates are open to changing the nation’s weed laws. Even Donald Trump, who’s no stranger to being name-dropped, has softened his stance on the issue. Recently, he even admitted that locking people up for weed seems outdated, especially since it’s basically legal everywhere now.
But where exactly does Trump stand? Like most things with Trump, it’s complicated. His relationship with cannabis policy has been all over the place—sometimes supportive, sometimes not. But one thing’s for sure: the conversation around cannabis is shifting fast, and this topic could help decide the winner. Let’s take a look at Trump’s political timeline on the cannabis issue.
Trump’s Early Comments on Marijuana
Before stepping into the political spotlight, Donald Trump’s views on cannabis weren’t exactly a hot topic. But by the time he hit the campaign trail in 2015, we started getting a clearer picture of his stance—at least on medical marijuana. During an interview with Bill O’Reilly, a staunch prohibitionist, Trump surprised some people by pushing back against the idea that medical cannabis was just an excuse for getting high legally. Instead, he shared that he knew people who genuinely benefited from it, saying, “Medical marijuana, medical? I’m in favor of it 100%.”
It wasn’t a one-off comment, either. Throughout his 2016 campaign, Trump echoed his support for medical cannabis at rallies across the country, repeating that it could help people with serious health issues. But when it came to full-on recreational legalization, Trump was a bit more reserved. His go-to stance? Leave it up to the states to decide. This “10th Amendment approach” put the decision in the hands of individual states—basically saying, “You do you, and we’ll stay out of it.”
It was a safe political move for the time, especially when you consider that many conservative voters weren’t quite ready to embrace legal cannabis just yet. Public perception has shifted a lot since then. But by avoiding a stronger stance on the federal level, Trump didn’t exactly come across as a cannabis crusader. Still, his vocal support for medical marijuana set him apart from some of his more hardline Republican counterparts.
Trump’s Presidency and Appointments (2016–2020)
Once Trump made it to the White House, his stance on cannabis became a bit of a mixed bag— as most stances often do. On one hand, he continued to support the idea that states should decide their own cannabis laws. On the other hand, some of his key appointments sent a very different message. He brought on Jeff Sessions, who is very vocally against weed, as his pick for Attorney General.
Sessions was a longtime opponent of cannabis and famously declared, “Good people don’t smoke marijuana.” Not exactly the kind of guy you’d expect to be leading the charge on reform, honestly.
Within a year of taking office, Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum, an Obama-era policy that kept federal prosecutors from going after state-legal cannabis businesses. This move sent shockwaves through the industry, creating uncertainty for businesses operating legally under state laws.
However, while Sessions seemed to be on a personal crusade against cannabis, Trump didn’t always back him up. In fact, in 2018, Trump publicly said he’d “probably” support the STATES Act, a bipartisan bill that would protect states with legal cannabis from federal interference. The bill never made it far, but Trump’s lukewarm support suggested he wasn’t as anti-cannabis as some of his appointments might have made it seem.
Aside from the whole cannabis issue, Trump was a supporter of the 2018 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a major piece of legislation that Trump signed into law, federally legalizing the cultivation and production of industrial hemp.
It was an excellent move as it stimulated a lot of economic growth outside of the cannabis industry and other more traditional industries, but it also opened the door for different sectors within the existing cannabis industries across the map. It wasn’t full-scale marijuana reform, but it was a win for hemp farmers and businesses looking to cash in on CBD.
While Trump’s cabinet choices, like Sessions, often felt out of step with the growing national support for cannabis reform, there were moments during his presidency that hinted he wasn’t totally closed off to the idea—especially if it involved boosting the economy or giving states more control.
Trump’s Mixed Record on Cannabis Policy
When it comes to cannabis, Donald Trump’s presidency felt a bit like a rollercoaster—some highs, some lows, and a lot of in-between. While he made some moves that hinted at support for cannabis reform, his overall record was, well, mixed.
One of the big issues that held him back from a more progressive stance was his close relationship with law enforcement groups. Trump was endorsed by multiple police unions, and if there’s one thing we know about these organizations, it’s that they tend to be old-school when it comes to cannabis.
Keeping the status quo, with cannabis laws straight out of the Reagan era, has long been their preference. So, while Trump himself might not have been outright against cannabis, the pressure from his supporters in law enforcement definitely played a role in shaping his administration’s policies.
Then there’s the fact that, despite all the talk about letting states decide their own cannabis laws, federal reform never really materialized during Trump’s time in office. There were several big bills floating around Congress—like the STATES Act and the SAFE Banking Act—but none of them made it to Trump’s desk. Whether it was a lack of support from lawmakers or simply not a priority for the administration, federal cannabis reform hit a standstill.
However, Trump did make some notable progress when it came to criminal justice reform. In 2019, he signed the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at reducing mandatory minimum sentences and giving non-violent offenders, including those convicted of drug crimes, a chance at early release.
While not exclusively focused on cannabis, the First Step Act was a step toward addressing the impact of harsh drug laws. And before leaving office, Trump granted last-minute pardons to several non-violent drug offenders, including those convicted of cannabis-related crimes.
At the end of the day, Trump’s cannabis record is complicated. He didn’t go all-in on reform, but he didn’t go full prohibitionist either. His actions, or lack thereof, left the cannabis industry and advocates wondering where he truly stood on the issue.
Trump’s Post-Presidency and Recent Comments (2020–Present)
Fast forward to Donald Trump’s post-presidency, and his stance on cannabis has gotten a bit clearer. Recently, Trump made headlines when he announced he’d support Florida’s ballot initiative to legalize recreational cannabis. He took to his own social media platform, Truth Social, to say it’s time to “end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana.” That’s a pretty big deal, considering the patchy record his administration had on federal cannabis reform.
Trump’s new comments show a shift toward a more modern, pragmatic view of cannabis policy. He’s not out here waving the legalization flag, but he’s acknowledging that people shouldn’t be locked up for something that’s already legal in well over half the country. In fact, he even gave a nod to the economic side of things, saying that “smart regulations” are needed to provide safe, tested products for adults.
He’s also voiced support for rescheduling cannabis, aligning with President Biden’s push to move it from Schedule I to Schedule III, which would be a huge change. For context, Schedule I drugs are considered to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse (think heroin), while Schedule III includes substances like Tylenol with codeine—still controlled but with more recognized medicinal value.
Beyond that, Trump hinted at working with Congress to pass some “common sense laws,” including banking reform for cannabis businesses. Considering how many cannabis companies are still operating in cash due to federal restrictions on banking, this could be a game-changer for the industry.
While Trump’s most recent remarks signal a softening on cannabis reform, it’s still Trump—so nothing is set in stone. But with his influence over the Republican base, his shift in tone could pave the way for more GOP lawmakers to get on board with legalization.
Trump’s Future Stance on Cannabis Reform
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from watching Trump over the years, it’s that his future moves are always a bit unpredictable. When it comes to cannabis reform, the same holds true. While he’s shown recent support for decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana and backed efforts to reschedule cannabis, there’s still a lot of gray area when it comes to what Trump might do if re-elected in 2024.
One thing is clear: Trump knows how to read the room. He’s seen the growing public support for cannabis, and his comments about “smart regulations” suggest he’s open to the idea of reform—as long as it makes sense economically.
Trump has always positioned himself as a businessman, and with the U.S. cannabis market projected to hit $40 billion by 2030, the potential economic benefits might just sway him toward more significant federal changes. After all, legal cannabis means more jobs, more tax revenue, and a whole lot of new business opportunities—something Trump has always championed.
That said, we can’t ignore Trump’s history of shifting stances. Throughout his political career, he’s been known to change positions depending on the moment. Back in 2018, he was ready to support the STATES Act, but no sweeping federal legislation ever came during his presidency. So, while his recent statements on cannabis reform are promising, it’s hard to predict exactly how far he’ll go if given another term in office.
But here’s the thing—if Trump fully embraces cannabis reform, he could easily win over a huge chunk of moderate and even conservative voters who are in favor of legalization. With over 70% of Americans supporting it, the cannabis question could be a key issue in 2024. And if Trump plays his cards right, it might just be a winning hand.
Batter up, Vice President Harris’s Turn
