Former VP Joe Biden Suddenly Supports Marijuana Decriminalization

While Joe Biden isn’t calling for the end of federal marijuana prohibition, he has recently voiced support for national decriminalization and states’ rights when it comes to legalization. Biden was known as being the U.S. “drug czar” while he served as a Senator, so this shift in opinion may come as a surprise to many.

Biden’s opinion is in line with many of the other 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, CNN reports, while other candidates support ending federal marijuana prohibition.

Biden’s campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said, “As he said [Tuesday], Vice President Biden does not believe anyone should be in jail simply for smoking or possessing marijuana. He supports decriminalizing marijuana and automatically expunging prior criminal records for marijuana possession, so those affected don’t have to figure out how to petition for it or pay for a lawyer.”

Marijuana law reform is part of most 2020 Democratic presidential candidates’ campaign strategies as many have voiced their support for either legalization or decriminalization.

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