Kamala Harris has pledged to decriminalise marijuana as current drug laws have “disproportionately” harmed black men.
During an interview ahead of Election Day on November 5, Harris reiterated her commitment to the issue, stating that she would work to change these laws after she claimed they had historically targeted marginalised communities.
Harris denied accusations that she had prosecuted large numbers of black individuals for marijuana-related offences while serving as a prosecutor.
She insisted she was a “progressive prosecutor” who avoided jailing people for cannabis possession.
Kamala Harris has pledged to decriminalise marijuana as current drug laws have ‘disproportionately’ harmed black menReutersThe Democratic White House hopeful also highlighted her efforts as Vice President to reclassify marijuana, moving it away from the same legal category as substances such as heroin.
Her remarks follow the rollout of new policy proposals focused on black men, including creating a legal recreational marijuana industry with equitable access.
It comes after criticism of her campaign last week when former President Barack Obama urged black men to increase their support for Harris.
Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has acknowledged that her party faces a “problem” with black men.
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Dingell, who represents a Michigan district, noted that many African-American men feel “taken for granted” by Democrats, drawing a parallel to the 2016 election when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton.
“I don’t think people know Kamala Harris yet. I do,” Dingell told Fox News.
“I know how great she is… but they need to connect with her.”
She went on to explain that the issue isn’t specific to Harris but reflects broader challenges within the Democratic Party.
Kamala Harris denied accusations that she had prosecuted large numbers of black individuals for marijuana-related offences while serving as a prosecutor
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“It’s similar to how we failed to address trade issues properly in 2016. These young Black men don’t want to feel overlooked; they want direct engagement,” Dingell added.
Harris holds a narrow three-point lead over Donald Trump – 45 percent to 42 percent – as the two candidates remain in a highly competitive race for the presidency, according to a new poll.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey also shows Harris leading by three points among likely voters, with 47 percent supporting her compared to 44 percent for Trump.
With such a slim margin, the results fall within the poll’s four-point margin of error, highlighting just how close the race remains.