While marijuana was once an issue that was rarely, if ever, discussed in presidential campaigns; that’s far from the case today. With a greater number of Americans in favor of legalization, the issue has quickly gained traction in the 2016 presidential election.
However, will it actually impact the polls? And if so, could it impact Bernie Sanders’ campaign?
Well, Tommy Chong seems to thinks so. The infamous marijuana advocate has reported he is supporting Sanders full force in the upcoming election. As Chong told CNN, “Bernie’s like a kush, like the best kind of weed you can get, because he’s the answer to all of our problems.” In fact, the Cheech and Chong star took his support even further for the Democratic presidential hopeful by stating in a PSA given to CNN, “There is one candidate who stands head and shoulders above them all who has weathered many storms and is totally ready to be commander in chief, or the commander in kush, I like to say.”
As a well-known figure within the cannabis community, some predict that Chong’s strong support for Sanders may provide the necessary fuel for his campaign. It begs the question, though; will Chong’s support for Bernie be enough?
Truthfully, only time will tell.
However, with 58% of Americans now in support of legalization, it’s become apparent that the growing number of cannabis advocates and users may very well play an influential role in this upcoming election. And with a campaign slogan like “Feel the Bern”, it’s not much of a stretch to suggest that cannabis consumers may quickly become some of Sander’s biggest supporters.
Sure, Bernie Sanders might not be burning them down himself, but he sure doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. Calling the current war on drugs a failed policy and a believer that states should have the rights to determine policies on the medical use of marijuana, Sanders may well be one his way to winning cannabis supporters in his campaign.
On the other hand, will Sanders bold stance on marijuana really be enough to win the Democratic lead over favorite Hillary Clinton?
After all, Clinton hasn’t necessarily been against the legalization of marijuana, but then again, she’s hasn’t exactly been an advocate either. While Clinton announced she plans to switch marijuana from a class I drug to a class II drug, she tends to remain ambiguous when it comes to full legalization. In some ways, Clinton’s stance on pot is pretty much a “wait and see” kind of policy, not exactly what advocates are striving for. Unlike Sanders who believes that marijuana should be removed from the Controlled Substance Act altogether.
So will the cannabis community rally behind Bernie Sanders?
Well, if Tommy Chong is any indication, yes it’s certainly looking that way. Marijuana is a hot topic, and if supporters are active this election, it could definitely impact the final outcome. After all, consider the fact that 23 states along with Washington DC have now legalized marijuana in some form or another. And with an even greater number of states expected to jump on board the legal pot train in 2016, it appears the United States may indeed become a “green” nation, perhaps even sooner than we think.
Although we may still be a few months out from the official Democratic party nomination, if there’s one thing that’s clear, cannabis is at the forefront of this presidential election, and it might just change history.
What’s your opinion, do you think cannabis advocates will change the outcome of this election?