Trump’s Second Term Could Transform Drug Policies with Marijuana Legalisation

Trump’s Second Term Could Transform Drug Policies with Marijuana Legalisation

Donald Trump’s potential second term in the White House could bring significant changes to US drug policy, with a clear push towards marijuana legalisation and the liberalisation of other vices. His socially moderate stance includes supporting the legalisation of cannabis and reducing restrictions on drugs, aligning with a strategy to attract young male voters who are prominent consumers in these markets.

Trump’s potential health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has openly supported federal marijuana legalisation, reflecting the administration’s growing openness to vice policies. This follows a broader trend of normalising drug use, with Trump even backing Florida’s push for legalisation and echoing the Biden administration’s move to reclassify cannabis to a less restrictive legal status.

However, critics warn about the public health risks tied to drug liberalisation. Recreational cannabis has been associated with increased risk of fatal road accidents, poor academic performance, homelessness, and hospitalisations. The ripple effects are not limited to cannabis use; the growing prominence of such vices could normalise addiction, creating profits for industries at the expense of societal well-being.

Recent public sentiment indicates rising scepticism. Efforts to legalise drugs were defeated in key ballot initiatives across several US states, signalling a potential shift in the national mood. Meanwhile, research continues to shed light on the unintended costs of drug decriminalisation, drawing parallels to the historical tactics of Big Tobacco.

While the Trump administration’s policies may appeal to a segment of voters, the health and societal consequences of such liberalisation are sparking a growing backlash. Whether the country will continue down this path or take a more restrictive stance remains a critical question as public opinion evolves.

Source: The New York Times

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