US Cannabis Council Speaks Out Regarding Trump’s Support Of Wide-Scale Cannabis Reform
In a historic moment for cannabis reform, David Culver, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council, has publicly welcomed former President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of broad cannabis reform measures. Culver’s remarks follow Trump’s statement on Truth Social, where he expressed support for reclassifying cannabis, passing Florida’s Amendment 3, and advocating for the SAFE Banking Act.
In a statement, Culver hailed Trump’s support as a turning point in the national debate on cannabis, noting that the former president’s backing could significantly influence upcoming legislative efforts.
“We welcome former President Trump’s historic endorsement of large-scale cannabis reform, including the reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to III, the passage of Florida’s Amendment 3 to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, and the passage of the SAFE Banking Act to bring standard banking services to the cannabis industry,” Culver said. “He joins millions of Americans who have reassessed their views on cannabis in recent years.”
Culver emphasized that the reclassification of cannabis would mark a dramatic shift in the country’s drug policy. “Reclassifying cannabis would mark a historic shift away from the nation’s failed drug war. Cannabis never belonged on Schedule I, and the drug’s low abuse potential and proven medical use warrant a Schedule III designation, if not outright descheduling,” Culver said.
Trump’s Potential Impact in Florida
Trump’s endorsement of Florida’s Amendment 3, which seeks to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, comes at a critical time. With the amendment requiring 60% of the vote to pass, bipartisan support is essential. Culver noted that Trump’s influence, particularly in his home state of Florida, could prove pivotal.
“Former President Trump joins millions of Republicans and Democrats in Florida in voting for Amendment 3, adding to its already strong bipartisan support. President Trump’s support could prove pivotal for meeting the 60% threshold required to become law,” Culver added.
A Push for Banking Reform
Culver also highlighted Trump’s endorsement of the SAFE Banking Act, a key legislative priority for the cannabis industry. The Act would allow cannabis businesses access to standard banking services, a move that Culver sees as crucial for the industry’s growth and safety.
“His endorsement of SAFE provides a common sense approach to bringing cannabis into the regulated banking system,” Culver said, noting that Trump’s influence could help push the Act through Congress. “We look forward to hearing more from him about how he would approach cannabis reform if elected this November.”
Cannabis: A Bipartisan Issue
Culver’s comments underscore a growing consensus on cannabis reform across the political spectrum. With both major party candidates now supporting wide-scale cannabis reform for the first time in U.S. history, Culver believes this issue could be a winning one for the 2024 election cycle.
“We believe cannabis reform is a winning issue,” Culver stated. “For the first time in history, both major party candidates support large-scale cannabis reform.”
Trump’s Call for Common Sense Reform
In his original statement on Truth Social, Trump called for an end to the criminalization of small amounts of cannabis and advocated for regulatory changes to ensure safe access for adults.
“As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” Trump posted. “We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November.”
With Trump’s backing, the push for cannabis reform appears to be gaining momentum ahead of the 2024 election, with now both major political parties recognizing the importance of addressing outdated cannabis laws.
For more information on cannabis reform and the work of the U.S. Cannabis Council, visit www.uscannabiscouncil.org.
