The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, has pledged to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level as part of her proposed criminal justice reforms. This commitment comes as Harris faces scrutiny regarding her record on criminal justice reform while she seeks support for her presidential campaign.
In a recent town hall-style interview with radio host Charlamagne tha God, Harris addressed criticisms and sought to regain enthusiasm among Black voters, a demographic that has shown declining support for her compared to the last election cycle in 2020 when Joe Biden was the nominee.
In the conversation that began with Charlamagne mentioning that some perceive her as scripted, Harris quickly countered, saying, “That would be called discipline,” aiming to distinguish herself from her opponent, Donald Trump, who has been characterized as more unstructured in his public speeches. She sharply responded to queries about her public persona, asserting that she welcomes criticism for sticking to her talking points.
Harris’s past as a prosecutor has come under intense scrutiny, with some allies positioning her candidacy as a contrast between “the prosecutor” and “the felon,” especially given Trump’s numerous legal issues, including felony convictions. She emphasized her prosecutorial experience and the significance of tackling various forms of crime, stating her understanding of “Trump’s type” based on her professional history.
While Harris’s background has been a point of contention, she is also facing pushback for her policies while in office. Critics from various political backgrounds have challenged her actions, including progressives who highlight her strict approach to issues such as student truancy.
In response to criticism about previous actions regarding marijuana arrests, Harris refuted claims that she targeted Black men in San Francisco to advance her career, stating they were unfounded. Instead, she focused on her commitment to reducing penalties for marijuana possession, highlighting a significant disparity in arrest rates affecting Black individuals compared to white individuals. Harris stated her intention to decriminalize marijuana federally if elected president, acknowledging the negative impact these laws have had on specific populations.
Amidst concerns, Harris condemned Trump’s law enforcement policies, such as his intention to implement rigorous “stop and frisk” measures, which have been criticized for perpetuating racial profiling. She underscored the potential dangers these policies pose to the Black community.
Despite her substantial support among Black voters, polling suggests a decline in backing compared to her performance in the previous election. An “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men” introduced by Harris aims to address these concerns, proposing decriminalization of marijuana and other initiatives aimed at supporting Black entrepreneurs.
While Harris remains a frontrunner for the Democrats, she faces the challenge of consolidating her support among Black voters ahead of the election, particularly as Trump seeks to gain traction in that demographic. During the town hall, Harris defended her engagement with the Black community and her connections to Black churches while dismissing allegations that her commitment is lacking.