The document discusses how cannabis legalization exposes a disconnect between politicians and the public. Most Americans now support legalizing cannabis for medical and recreational use, yet politicians have been slow to change policies. The upcoming presidential election features candidates like Biden who have historically opposed cannabis but are now calling for decriminalization. The author argues this does not go far enough and that the election could mark the end of the "old regime" of politicians out of touch with current public opinion on cannabis legalization.

1. 9/9/2020 How Cannabis Exposes the Disconnect between the People and Politicians
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CANNABIS LEGALIZATION AND POLITICIANS
bi h i

2. 9/9/2020 How Cannabis Exposes the Disconnect between the People and Politicians
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How Cannabis Exposes the Disconnect
between the People and Politicians
People want marijuana legalization but the Politicians still ght it, why?
Posted by:
Reginald Reefer, today at 12:00am
How Cannabis Exposes the Disconnect between the People
and Politicians
Since the early 1900s, cannabis has been a point of contention within the United States and the world. The plant has
been demonized and used as political fodder to support a particular narrative that bene tted a small bundle of
organizations and industry.

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I’m not going to rehash the 50-year state-sponsored propaganda against the plant nor the origins and character of the
architects of the policies. As the decades rolled by – the proponents of legalization fought long and hard to convince the
world that “cannabis is not what the government claims it to be”.
In 2020 – the acceptance for cannabis is at all-time high. Some 94% in the US are in favor of medical cannabis and nearly
as much for complete legalization.
There’s even some political clout these days around the idea of legalization. Even though in the US federal legalization is
still not on the books – enough states have legalized in one shape or manner to indicate that cannabis will eventually be
legalized federally as well.
Which brings us to the two options for President in November. On one hand we’ve got Trump who has certainly not
been one of the more popular presidents in the history of the US. He has been on record saying that he doesn’t care if
cannabis is legalized, that is should be a state issue, but also as not done anything to advance the issue of legalization.

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In fact – there is absolutely no talks of legalizing cannabis from the Trump side.
On the other hand we have Biden – an old “drug warrior” who made his name in politics as being the toughest “blue
politician” out there. He was once quoted saying that “Bush wasn’t tough enough” when it came to drug laws. Biden’s VP
Kamala Harris is in favor of legalization – now – but wasn’t always in the past.
Harris however, does seem to be leaning more to the legalization route – despite the fact that Biden’s o cial policy is
decriminalization.
Some politicians aren’t too happy…
In particular, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) was vocal about Biden’s approach to cannabis saying,
“It is demanded by the American public. It’s no longer controversial,” Blumenauer, who is co-chair of the Congressional
Cannabis Caucus, said of legalization. “For the campaign to talk about decriminalization is essentially meaningless. Your
grandmother is for decriminalization.” - Source (https://www.marijuanamoment.net/bidens-marijuana-
decriminalization-plan-is-meaningless-democratic-congressman-says/)
And he’s right. As mentioned – Americans are overwhelming in favor of legalization. People have awoken to the idea
that regulation works better than incarceration and that tax dollars could be better spent in prevention and education
than ramping up the drug war.
“Over two-thirds of the American public supports full legalization. A majority of Republicans support full legalization. An
overwhelming majority of young people,” he went on to say. “I think that’s where we’re going. I’m optimistic that, before
the election, we’ll get a better statement. But ultimately, what’s going to matter is what we do in Congress and we are
poised, maybe even this Congress, to fully legalize, but certainly in the next Congress.”
The Last Presidents of the Old Regime
I sincerely hope that this November elections sees the last dinosaur politician sit in a place of power. It’s become
painfully obvious that the people who are trying to run the country do not share the same values as the rest of the
country – at least when it comes to cannabis.

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Biden and Trump are remnants of an old regime. A place where “big wigs” made “Big decisions” and “grabbing them by
the puss” was A-okay. Biden used to sni little girls without people making too much of a fuss about it – but today, none
of that is okay.
Perhaps – there needs to be an age limit on presidents. If we’re trying to get the “best of us” to lead us – then perhaps
we should exclude those who are starting to become senile. If you take a step back and look at both of the candidates –
they both look like they are on a heavy regimen of drugs just to get by.
Cannabis is the divider…
While what Blumenauer said was true – “even your grandma is for decriminalization” – it continues to show us who are
at odds with the will of the American people. Biden and Trump are playing politics when there are people being
arrested for cannabis. Instead of simply saying, “enough is enough” they still have to appease their base – and this is
why both are such terrible options. The base of both of these candidates are fringe versions of the American people.
In fact – both left and right sound eerily the same, arguing over their candidates with blind faith and sacri cing their
own values to suit that of their party leader.
Most Americans – and the world – just wants to make a livable wage, be relatively safe in the streets, have a home and
have access to food and medicine. Cannabis being both food and medicine.
Let’s hope – that this year’s election marks the end of the old and the beginning of the new – no matter which way it
swings.
CANNABIS AND VOTING, READ MORE..

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(https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/will-cannabis-be-a-deciding-factor-in-
the-upcoming-election)
WILL THE MARIJUAAN ISSUE DECIDE THE NEXT ELECTION? CLICK HERE. (https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/will-
cannabis-be-a-deciding-factor-in-the-upcoming-election)
OR..

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(https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/why-marijuana-will-be-legalized-in-
the-usa-in-early-2021)
WILL MARIJUANA BE LEGALIZED IN 2021, YOU BET, READ THIS! (https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/why-marijuana-
will-be-legalized-in-the-usa-in-early-2021)
What did you think?
Keep reading... click here
(https://cannabis.net/blog)
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OPINION
How Can You Tell Legal from Illegal Dispensaries in California
The majority argue that it is not easy to identify which of the various dispensaries in California is legal. This is true in the sense that many dispensaries were not
outrightly illegal, some of them only violated some of the regulations put in place, so all they require is to simply improve their businesses to meet up with the new

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(https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/how-can-you-tell-legal-from-illegal-dispensaries-in-california)
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