Vice President Kamala Harris recently made headlines by debunking the long-standing myth that marijuana is a “gateway drug” during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. However, despite her progressive stance on cannabis, she has no intention of trying a strain named after her.
During the interview, Harris expressed her disbelief and amusement upon learning about the existence of a cannabis variety called Kamala Kush. “Really? Seriously? I did not know that,” she said, laughing. Although host Jimmy Kimmel suggested it was “outrageous” that she hadn’t been gifted some of the product, Harris firmly responded, “I’m not touching that.”
Debunking the ‘Gateway Drug’ Theory
Harris’s remarks on marijuana reflect a significant shift in the perception of cannabis. She criticized the outdated notion that marijuana serves as a gateway to harder drugs, describing such policies as “failed.” “The resources should be better directed—and will be better directed—to deal with opioid addiction and what we need to do around fentanyl, getting more resources into mental health and mental health care,” Harris stated, earning applause from the audience.
Impact of Cannabis Rescheduling
The discussion also touched on the Biden-Harris administration’s move to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This reclassification aims to alleviate some of the legal restrictions on marijuana, though it falls short of full legalization. Harris emphasized that rescheduling would help redirect resources toward more pressing issues like opioid addiction and mental health care.
Criticism and Clarifications
Despite the administration’s efforts, Harris and other officials have faced criticism for overstating the impact of their marijuana policies. For instance, Harris previously claimed that she and President Joe Biden had “changed federal marijuana policy” even before a rescheduling decision was made. Additionally, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Rahul Gupta has inaccurately suggested that the rescheduling would address racial disparities in cannabis enforcement and make cannabis available via prescription.
Biden himself recently corrected the record, acknowledging that his marijuana pardons did not expunge records, a point he had previously misstated.
The Road Ahead for Cannabis Reform
In the lead-up to the November election, the Biden-Harris administration has increasingly highlighted its cannabis actions. Harris, for example, met with marijuana pardon recipients at the White House in March, where she reaffirmed the need to legalize marijuana.
The administration’s proposed rule to federally reschedule marijuana was officially posted last month, initiating a public comment period expected to generate significant feedback from both supporters and opponents of cannabis reform.
Conclusion
Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on marijuana marks a progressive shift in the conversation around cannabis. By debunking the ‘gateway drug’ myth and advocating for resource reallocation to combat opioid addiction and mental health issues, Harris underscores the need for updated, science-based drug policies. While she may not be sampling Kamala Kush anytime soon, her commitment to cannabis reform is clear.
