Cannabis Policy and How Your World May Be Positively Impacted By Biden’s Cabinet

Many in the cannabis industry wonder how Biden's cabinet will impact cannabis policy. The Democratic party will control the House, the Senate and the presidency following Biden's inauguration.

The cannabis industry is hoping that will be a catalyst for a positive shift in cannabis policy.

What’s on the Docket for Cannabis Policy?

The Democrat-controlled House made history last year by approving the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking (SAFE) and the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Acts.

Both measures would have made huge strides in the legal industry if passed by the Republican-controlled Senate.

Also considered was the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act, which would give states the right to handle cannabis policy without federal interference.

Congress may pass one or more of these momentous cannabis policy initiatives during Biden's first term. Government agencies managed by Biden's cabinet choices will handle implementation following approval:

• The SAFE Act would be regulated by the Treasury Department
• The MORE Act would be handled by various agencies including the Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Labor, Commerce, and Justice
• The STATES Act would need support from the Justice Department and maybe Commerce

Biden's Cabinet Picks

While the future of cannabis reform is hard to predict, looking at the stances of Biden's cabinet picks may provide some insight into the future of cannabis policy. 

Attorney General

Almost anyone would be better for the future of cannabis industry growth than Donald Trump's first Attorney General, Jeff Sessions.

He took aim at cannabis policy during his brief stint in the White House, rescinding the Obama-era Cole Memo that gave states legal protection from federal intervention.

Biden nominated Merrick Garland as his Attorney General. The former Supreme Court nominee would have a significant say in implementing the policy and law enforcement.

With regards to Garland’s stance on legalization, we don't have much to go on from his tenure as a circuit judge for the Court of Appeals District of Columbia.

Garland (and the majority of the judges) sided with the DEA in the 2021 Americans for Safe Access v Drug Enforcement Administration case.

Garland argued that the DEA presented substantial evidence that supported the agency's final decision not to reschedule cannabis.

It'll be a waiting game to see if Garland has a change of heart.

Treasury Secretary

Biden chose Janet Yellen, former Federal Reserve Chair, for his Treasury Secretary. She would play a pivotal role in developing financial regulations for cannabis businesses.

Yellen has not historically been a supporter of cannabis legalization.

The Federal Reserve denied Denver Colorado's Fourth Corner Credit Union the application for a master account under her leadership from 2014 to 2018.

The nonprofit cooperative formed by state-licensed manufacturers was forced to remain a cash-only business, like the rest of the industry.

Secretary of Labor

Biden’s Secretary of Labor pick, Marty Walsh, is the mayor of Boston. He opposed the 2016 effort to legalize cannabis in Massachusetts.  

In 2019, he agreed that legalization strengthened his commitment to creating a regulatory framework that allows those most affected by the war on drugs to have plenty of opportunities in the industry.

Most importantly, Walsh has been a strong proponent of union labor. He was President of the Laborers Union Local 223 before becoming Boston's mayor.

In 2010, Walsh was elected as Secretary-Treasurer and General Agent of the Boston Metropolitan District Building Trades Council, a broader union organization. He became head of the Boston Building Trades in 2011.

Secretary of Agriculture

Former Obama Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's prior support of the hemp industry earns him points. 

However, as Governor of Iowa he adopted the National Governors Association policies on illegal drugs.

Under the policies, cannabis policy reforms would never be considered over enforcement.

Secretary of Commerce 

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo was picked to lead the Commerce Department.

Raimondo has been a vocal supporter of a state-run program since it’s seen as the best and safest way to bring in state revenue and control the industry.

She was a strong proponent of efforts for marijuana legalization in Rhode Island and included a recreational measure in her 2020 budget.

However, the measure would have banned home cultivation, placed a cap on THC, and established state-run stores.

Since the Department of Commerce is tasked with promoting national economic growth and job creation, progressing in cannabis policy would improve all of these aspects.

Cannabis legalization will bring in much-needed federal, state, and local revenue.

Secretary of the Interior

Biden's Department of Interior pick, Deb Haaland, would become the first Native American to hold the position.

The department is charged with handling and improving the nation's lands, water, wildlife, and energy resources.

Apart from sustaining treaties with tribal nations, the department could play a pivotal role in helping the USDA develop cultivation regulations and manage legalization on Tribal lands.

As a representative of New Mexico, Haaland voted in support of the MORE Act last year. She also introduced an amendment protecting cannabis policies on tribal lands.

The amendment would prevent the federal government from using funds to interfere with their reforms.

Secretary of Health and Human Services

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra supported the state's legalization of adult-use cannabis. 

As California's Attorney General, his office prosecuted some illegal cultivation cases citing damage to wildlife habitats, water poisoning, and their effects on local communities.

His Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) program removed 1.1 million illegally cultivated plants.

Becerra supported many spending bill amendments protecting state cannabis laws as a House representative from 1993 to 2017.

He also supported amendments that would allow the VA to recommend medical cannabis to veterans, support industrial hemp and CBD markets, and give access to financial services for cannabis businesses.

Leading the HHS, he could oversee the rescheduling of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act.

He's stated that the federal government should get with the times and make progress on cannabis policy.

What the Future Holds for Cannabis Policy

Overall, Biden's cabinet picks are a significant improvement over the previous administration with regards to cannabis policy.

While no single agency head is completely gung-ho on legalization, pressure from Congress and state legalization could pressure these agencies to follow the people's will.

We'll have to wait and see whether they see the promise of a green future. 

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