Donald Trump shocked political commentators last week when he appeared to change his position on marijuana legalization.
But it could be a political bonanza.
A new poll finds that voters in the “blue wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania could be influenced by President Trump's “green” views on marijuana.
of Ragnar Research Group The poll, conducted among 1,000 voters between August 18 and August 21, showed widespread support for marijuana legalization and that there would be little political downside for President Trump to allowing it.
Vice President Kamala Harris could be exposed as a weak spot: She supports legalization, but the Biden administration has been criticized for moving slowly to change how the federal government classifies marijuana.
It is currently a Schedule I controlled substance, the same as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Federal RegisterThe Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration are scheduled to hold hearings in December on the possible move to a lower Schedule III class.
But that will come after the election, too late for voters who care about the issue.
A massive 82% of voters in the three Blue Wall states oppose the current Schedule I designation, which lumps marijuana with the most dangerous drugs, including 77% of the so-called “persuasable voters” who decide the election.
But just because these voters oppose the current legal framework doesn't mean they want the drug to be available unrestricted: About 80% of voters, and 73% of persuadable voters, support banning recreational marijuana use by anyone under the age of 21.
For Trump, who now says “Americans can coexist with marijuana,” his new position on legalization, which was formed in the wake of Florida's legalization of marijuana, Adult personal use of marijuana A ballot initiative could help break down the blue wall.
That's not surprising, given how close the races are in those states: According to the Lagner poll, Harris has a 2-point lead in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and a 1-point lead in Michigan (other polls have Trump ahead in both states).
The three states have different marijuana laws: Michigan has one of the most open adult-use marijuana markets in the country, while Pennsylvania has a medical marijuana program and Wisconsin hasn't legalized marijuana at all.
