Hillary Clinton Plays it Safe on Cannabis Issues

Although we’re only one month into 2016, this year has already proven that it will be a banner year for the cannabis community. At least 10 states will have cannabis reform initiatives on their ballots this year, with more expected to come, not to mention the increased attention that cannabis will continue to receive alongside the many topics discussed by competing presidential candidates. The writing is on the wall—prohibition of cannabis needs to end.

While millions of Americans support legalization, one of the main contenders for the highest office in the land, Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, who seems unwilling to take a stance, one way or another, on this major issue.

In a recent radio interview for a CBS affiliate in Boston, Clinton skated around the issue of cannabis.

I think that states are the laboratories of democracy, and four states have already taken action to legalize, and it will be important that other states and the federal government take account of how that’s being done, what we learn from what they’re doing. And I do think on the federal level we need to move marijuana from the Schedule One of drugs, move it to Schedule Two, which will permit it to be the basis for medical research. … A lot of experts in the field are telling me we’ve got to learn a lot more. For example, you’re taking marijuana for medical purposes, how does it interact with all the other drugs you’re taking? What should be the right dosage?

While nothing Clinton said is technically false, her statement has no weight and appears to be a carefully crafted response to toe the line on both sides of the argument.

Clinton had a similar reaction to the last major social issue of same-sex marriage. She opposed it for over a decade with similar “we need more time” rhetoric before finally backing it in 2013 when it became politically safe to support it publically.

Cannabis will be a major part of this year’s presidential campaign. Republican contender, Ben Carson, claims he would reschedule cannabis due to its proven medical benefits. Fellow Republican, Jeb Bush, is in favor of decriminalizing cannabis, but still feels it is a gateway drug. The only candidate that is in favor of full legalization at this point is Democrat Bernie Sanders.