During a recent town hall interview, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated her commitment to decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level as part of her criminal justice reform agenda. As the Democratic nominee for president, Harris addressed critiques regarding her history in criminal justice during her conversation with radio host Charlamagne tha God.
Harris, who previously served as California’s attorney general, aimed to strengthen her support within the Black community, a demographic that largely leans Democratic but appears less enthusiastic about her candidacy compared to 2020. The vice president took a proactive approach in the discussion, countering claims of being overly scripted in her public appearances.
“That would be called discipline,” Harris quipped in response to being characterized as sticking too closely to her talking points—an attempt to differentiate herself from her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, whose speeches are often characterized as erratic.
Throughout the interview, Harris defended her criminal justice record, having previously served as a prosecutor and district attorney. Her advisers framed the election as a contest between “the prosecutor” and “the felon,” particularly highlighting Trump’s legal troubles, which include multiple felony charges.
Harris’s prosecutorial history has drawn criticism from various political sides. While progressives have condemned her for an aggressive stance on issues like student truancy, conservatives have accused her of being too lenient on crime. In response to criticisms surrounding her past actions, Harris attributed some negative perceptions to misinformation campaigns.
Specifically addressing allegations that she disproportionately prosecuted Black men for marijuana offenses, she strongly rejected the claims, stating they were unfounded. She emphasized her commitment to reducing penalties for marijuana possession, an issue that has disproportionately impacted Black communities. Citing a report from the ACLU, she highlighted the racial disparities in arrest rates for marijuana possession and announced her intention to decriminalize the drug if elected president.
The vice president also criticized Trump’s support for “stop and frisk” policing, which many believe facilitates racial profiling, and expressed concern that his law enforcement policies could negatively affect the Black community.
Harris’s recent appearances and pledges, including a new “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” aim to shore up her support among Black voters as she faces challenges in polling compared to previous elections. She noted that only 76% of Black voters planned to support her, down from Biden’s 90% in 2020, reflecting a potential vulnerability as both she and Trump vie for this crucial demographic. Harris seized the opportunity to affirm her roots in the Black community and refute claims of disengagement, suggesting misinformation as a strategic tool by her opponents.