Here’s Every 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate’s Plan to Legalize Weed

Senator Bernie Sanders announced on Wednesday his plan to legalize marijuana by executive order if he becomes president. Like a few other Democratic candidates (or all of them except one) who intend to legalize weed, many presidential candidates have ambitious plans to destroy the records of those convicted of weed-related crimes or invest in research to combat with weeds.

While some candidates prioritize criminal justice reform, others hone the bottom line (like tax revenues!). Below you will find all 20 of the candidates’ plans to legalize weed if elected. Starting with the candidates with the most votes and then alphabetically, here are their intended policies:

Joe Biden

• Will not legalize recreational weed; would leave the decision to the states.
• Criminalize marijuana by abolishing jail sentences for drug-only convicts and overturning previous convictions.
• Remove weed from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, which is a classification designed for drugs with the greatest potential for abuse (and a category that also includes heroin ). Reclassifies the weed as a Schedule II drug to allow additional testing.
• Increase funding for federal, state, and local drug courts.

Pete Buttigieg

• “Abolish jail sentences for drug possession, reduce sentences for other drug-related crimes and apply those reductions retroactively, legalize marijuana and remove past convictions.”

Kamala Harris

• Although Harris did not present a clear plan, she introduced the Marijuana Reinvestment and Disposal Act in July; This sweeping law will overturn marijuana convictions and impose a 5% sales tax on marijuana and its products to create a trust fund for those affected by the war on drugs.
• The law will also help create funding for cannabis-related businesses and provide non-discriminatory protection for those who use or possess marijuana. Finally, the law will require the Bureau of Labor Statistics to collect industry demographic data in order to provide a diverse workforce in the cannabis industry.

Bernie Sanders

• Reverses the beliefs associated with weed .
• Supports a “restraining box” that will restrict employers from asking applicants about past convictions early in the application / interview process.
• Previously supported bills that would reclassify herb as a Schedule II drug and ensure that cannabis businesses have fair access to banks.

Elizabeth Warren

• Expressed support for the removal of weeds from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
• In 2018, supported a bill that would amend the Controlled Substances Act and limit federal intervention in state s where weeds are legalized.

Michael Bennett

No plan provided.

Corey Booker

• Will delete the records and help those convicted of marijuana crimes apply for a closure of convictions.
• Supports banning the use of the field to prevent possible discrimination during interviews.
• “To restore justice to individuals and communities affected by the war on drugs.”
• Pardon individuals serving “excessive” sentences for non-violent drug-related crimes.
• Called for the abolition of mandatory minimum penalties for nonviolent drug-related crimes and reinvestment in drug-affected communities.
• In February, the Marijuana Justice Act was also passed , which will achieve many of Booker’s stated goals beyond creating federal funds to change cannabis laws in states where the laws disproportionately affect low-income communities or people of color.

Bill de Blasio

No plan provided (but recently supported the legalization of recreational grass).

Steve Bullock

No plan provided.

Julian Castro

There is no plan, but the removal of marijuana offense records is supported .

John Delaney

• Remove weed from Appendix I of the Controlled Substances Act and remove criminal records.
• “Develop strong federal guidelines and tax policies to support state decisions.”
• A 25% weed tax will be introduced, “on revenues allocated to grants to public defenders, medical and public health research, drug dependence treatment, and education and training programs.”
• Supports banning the box during the interview process.

Tulsi Gabbard

• Remove weed from List I.
• The Marijuana Data Collection Act was recently passed , which will collect research on the “health, safety and economy” of the effects of marijuana .

Kirsten Gillibrand

• Will remove weeds under the Controlled Substances Act and nullify all non-violent beliefs associated with weeds.
• “Establish a national process to make marijuana production and consumption clean, safe and sustainable.”
• Will invest in medical research on weed control and expand health insurance coverage to cover medical uses.
• Taxes recreational use of weed; the proceeds will go to a trust fund to support educational programs in communities affected by marijuana laws.
• Give cannabis businesses fair access to banks and provide “access to capital” for marijuana growers in underserved communities.

John Hickenlooper

No plan provided, but during a recent Reddit AMA expressed a desire to reclassify the weed, allow the FDA to study the weed, and remove entries for those with low, non-violent weed-related beliefs.

Jay Inslee

No plan is foreseen, but a bill was recently backed that would pardon those convicted of offenses from weed.

Amy Klobuchar

No plan provided.

Beto O’Rourke

• “Lift the ban on marijuana and erase the arrest records of those imprisoned for possession.”

Tim Ryan

No plan provided.

Marianne Williamson

• Will distribute the proceeds of the weed tax for “ progressive reasons, ” including universal health care, student loan forgiveness, free college tuition, a $ 15 minimum wage, and education for students under 12.

Andrew Yang

• Revoke federal convictions for pot use or possession.
• Allows probation for certain nonviolent drug-related offenders and “eventual early release.”
• “Provide regulation and oversight of the marijuana industry.”
• “Get income.”

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