Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang Supports Legalization of Cannabis

• Andrew Yang has never held a public office.
• During his candidacy, he has proposed several solutions for drug policy reform.

Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur-turned-presidential-candidate, even though he has never held a public office. However, when it comes to the controversial topic of cannabis legalization, Yang has clearly stated repeatedly that he is in favor of legalization. Since he announced his candidacy in November 2017, he has made multiple statements on potential drug policy reforms, as well as the decriminalization of opioid possession and waivers for veterans to access medical cannabis.

Overall, since Yang has no policy accomplishments, he makes up for it in the nonprofit work that he’s done as a philanthropist, working to develop job opportunities for struggle communities. Ending the prohibition would create many more jobs, and he believes that the criminalization of this substance ultimately “does more harm than good.” If elected, Yang aims to “pardon those in prison for non-violent marijuana-related offenses.”

The legalization of marijuana at a federal level provides an opportunity for the government to bring in billions of dollars in revenue, if the successful legalization in multiple states is any indication.

Yang has made strong statements in favor of cannabis, adding that criminalizing it at all is “stupid and racist,” especially considering how many states have implemented regulations that legalize it. As he progresses through his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, he is striving for “full legalization.”

With the mixed opinions on legalization throughout the country, this stance could be one of his positions that ultimately determines if he is a responsible enough candidate for the American people to elect.