Bernie Sanders: The Marijuana Advocate

As a progressive icon and longtime advocate for social justice, Bernie Sanders has been a vocal proponent of marijuana reform for decades. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at his political views on the issue and how his influence has helped shape the national conversation around drug policy.

Bernie Sanders has been an outspoken advocate for the legalization of marijuana, arguing that it should be treated like alcohol and tobacco. He has also been a vocal critic of the war on drugs and the disproportionate impact it has had on communities of color. In a 2019 interview, he stated: “We have a criminal justice system that is heavily biased against people of color and low-income people, and we have a drug policy that has gone after marijuana, something that is not a killer drug, in an unbelievable way.”

Sanders’ vision for marijuana reform goes beyond mere legalization. He has called for expunging past marijuana-related convictions and investing in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. In addition, he has advocated for allowing marijuana businesses to access traditional banking services and for federal research into the medical benefits of cannabis.

If Sanders had won the presidency, marijuana reform could have looked very different. He was a co-sponsor of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would have legalized marijuana at the federal level and expunged past convictions. He has also supported the STATES Act, which would have allowed states to determine their own marijuana laws without federal interference.

Take a look at the key moments in his career that has helped shape the movement and put it into perspective.

1972: Sanders calls for the decriminalization of marijuana while running for governor of Vermont.
1999: As a member of the House of Representatives, Sanders votes in favor of an amendment to prohibit the Department of Justice from using funds to interfere with state medical marijuana programs.
2010: Sanders introduces the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act, which would have removed marijuana from the list of controlled substances and allowed states to regulate it as they see fit.
2015: Sanders becomes the first major presidential candidate to call for the legalization of marijuana.
2016: Sanders introduces the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would have legalized marijuana at the federal level and expunged past convictions.
2019: Sanders co-sponsors the Marijuana Justice Act, which would have legalized marijuana at the federal level and provided funding for communities impacted by the war on drugs.
2020: Sanders endorses the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which passes in the House of Representatives.

Bernie Sanders’ contributions to the marijuana reform movement have been significant and long-standing. His advocacy for legalization, decriminalization, and social justice has helped to shift the national conversation around drug policy. While there is still much work to be done, Sanders’ efforts have paved the way for a more just and equitable future for marijuana.