Sign in

Donald Trump says ‘it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations’ over marijuana use: ‘We must also implement…’

Donald Trump has stressed that “it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults” for using small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

Published on: Sep 9, 2024, 10:34:54 IST
By
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

Donald Trump took to Truth Social to stress that “it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults” for using small amounts of marijuana for personal use. This comes days after the former president signalled he will vote in favour of legalising marijuana for personal use in Florida.

Donald Trump says ‘it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations’ over marijuana use (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (AP)
Donald Trump says ‘it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations’ over marijuana use (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (AP)

“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 wrote in a September 9 Truth Social post. “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.”

Trump added, “As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens.”

‘Someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other states’

Trump previously said that voters are likely to approve the measure "whether people like it or not" and therefore "it should be done correctly.” This stance puts Trump at odds with other Republican figures, including Ron DeSantis. The Florida Governor previously said that legalising recreational cannabis use would "be bad for quality of life.” Back in 2016, medicinal marijuana was made legal in Florida.

The Pew Research Centre says that cannabis for personal and medical use is legal in 24 US states. 14 more states have legalised medical marijuana.

Trump previously said, “Someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other states. We do not need to ruin lives and waste taxpayer dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them."

Recently, Trump's former Attorney General William Barr accused the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration of politicising the legalisation of Cannabis and ignoring the scientific evidence. "We hear a lot from the current administration about the ‘rule of law,'" Barr wrote in a Fox News op-ed. "But by ignoring legal standards and scientific evidence in its rush to loosen restrictions on marijuana, the Biden-Harris administration is riding roughshod over the rule of law and playing fast and loose with the health and safety of the American people — all for political gain."

  • Sumanti Sen
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sumanti Sen

    Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.