Another targeted message from a marijuana-backed political action (PAC), directed at President Donald Trump, has been sent by a committee of the cannabis industry.
This time it is accusing former President Joe Biden and his Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of waging a “deep state war” against medical cannabis patients—but without mentioning that the former president himself initiated the rescheduling process that marijuana companies want to see completed under Trump.
American Rights and Reform PAC’s latest ad titled DEA Deep State said, “Medical cannabis has helped many millions of patients.” The recommendation was endorsed later by the Justice Department.
It says, “But Joe Biden’s DEA Deep State kept cannabis illegal.” The patients need assistance. “Patients need help.”
It says “It is time to stop Joe Biden’s war of deep state against American patients,” clearly trying to exploit the president’s wish to surpass his predecessor.
But as was the case with the PAC’s last two ads, there’s some nuance that’s missing from the narrative—namely that Biden initiated the rescheduling review in the first place. While DEA leaders under the previous administration were accused of being biased against reform proposals, it is a stretch for that perception to be extended to Biden.
Trump, who endorsed the rescheduling of marijuana during his campaign, has yet to address the issue after taking office. Terrance Cole is Trump’s choice to head the DEA. He has also been on record many times expressing concerns over marijuana, and in particular, its link to increased suicide rates among young people.
Derek Maltz has also made a variety of other sensational statements about marijuana. Maltz called it a “gateway drug” that encourages children to try other drugs. Maltz suggested that marijuana is connected to school violence and claimed that the Justice Department had “hijacked’ the process to reschedule cannabis.
Just last week, DEA notified an agency judge that the marijuana rescheduling process is still on hold—with no future actions currently scheduled as the matter sits before Maltz.
Advertisements are promoted by industry stakeholders in Washington, D.C., Florida, the places where Trump most likely will see them. They play on his desire for outperforming his predecessor, but also attack another target of Trump’s, Canada.
On its website, American Rights and Reform PAC hosts results from a survey about cannabis that was conducted recently by a GOP pollster associated with Trump.
That poll found that a majority of Republicans back a variety of cannabis reforms—and, notably, they’re even more supportive of allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference compared to the average voter.
A majority of both voters overall (70%) as well as GOP voters (67%) support the reclassification of cannabis.
The survey was first noted by CNN in a report last month that quoted a White House spokesperson saying the administration currently has “no action” planned on marijuana reform proposals, including those like rescheduling and industry banking access that Trump endorsed on the campaign trail last year.
The White House has also said that marijuana rescheduling is not a part of Trump’s drug policy priorities for the first year of his second term—a disappointment for advocates and stakeholders who hoped to see him take speedier action.
Former marijuana prisoner who were granted clemency by Trump in his first term held an event on Thursday outside the White House, thanking him for the release and urging the new administration grant similar relief to other prisoners still incarcerated for cannabis.
A GOP Congressman and House Democratic Leader team up to Prepare for Federal Marijuana Legalization with Alcohol-like Regulations