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Federal marijuana reform is not something that U.S. Sen. JD Vance, an Ohio Republican selected by Donald Trump to be his running mate in the November presidential election, believes in. While a Republicans sub-committee filed a bill to block cannabis rescheduling, how does Vance feel about federal and state marijuana laws right now?
The 39-year-old author of “Hillbilly Elegy” and former investment banker was against Ohio’s adult-use marijuana legalization last year.
Vance seems to be less interested in cannabis-related concerns, though, since he would rather concentrate his political energies elsewhere.
No Supporter of the Marijuana Industry
“Is Vance a friend of the industry? Not,” said Steve Schain, a Philadelphia-based attorney specializing in cannabis banking and taxation issues, during an interview on Tuesday. “His first and only concern is fortifying and furthering his federal role. That being said, like most classic libertarians, he doesn’t want to disturb states’ rights or expand the federal government.”
Vance, a Yale Law School graduate and financier, first gained national attention as the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” a memoir about his modest Appalachian roots that was later adapted into a film.
A recent Politico profile highlighted Vance as a proponent of New Right conservative politics, which include skepticism of foreign intervention and a focus on economic populism.
The position of the $36 billion state-regulated marijuana industry within Vance’s political framework remains uncertain.
In 2022, while campaigning for his Senate seat, Vance stated that marijuana should be a “state’s issue,” but he also suggested a connection between marijuana use and violent crime.
“A lot of times … look at the underlying charge,” he said in a debate with Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, whom Vance defeated for his Senate seat. “It wasn’t just that they smoked a joint, it’s that they smoked a joint and then beat an elderly woman over the head with a pistol.”
States’ Rights Stance, but No Support for SAFER
Following his inauguration in early 2023, Vance’s primary motivation for pursuing marijuana legislation was setting himself apart from Democratic opponents, such as Sherrod Brown, the senior U.S. senator from Ohio.
September 2023 will see a historic markup hearing on marijuana banking reform, as requested by Senator Brown, the chair of the Senate Banking Committee. To safeguard financial institutions that collaborate with cannabis companies, he is in favor of the SAFER Banking Act.
On the other hand, citing “several public safety-related concerns,” Vance voted against moving the SAFER Banking Act forward for a possible full Senate vote.
However, when Ohio voters went to the polls in November 2023 to decide on Issue 2, the adult-use marijuana legalization ballot initiative, Vance was notably absent. Issue 2 passed with nearly 56% of the vote.
While Brown endorsed the measure, Vance neither supported nor opposed Issue 2, despite strong opposition from the Ohio Republican Party, as reported by Columbus broadcast outlet WOSU. Later, Vance stated that the will of the voters should be respected. He also distinguished himself from Brown on federal marijuana legalization, asserting in December that the matter is best left to the states.
Vice Presidential Perspective?
How Vance’s measured neutrality as a senator would influence federal marijuana reform as vice president remains uncertain.
Given Vance’s New Right skepticism of Democratic Party values like diversity, equity, and inclusion, marijuana stakeholders seeking social equity support from a potential Trump-Vance administration may be disappointed, some observers stated.
Notably, the terms “marijuana” and “cannabis” are absent from the Republican National Committee’s official platform document circulated ahead of this week’s convention in Milwaukee. The committee is also silent on intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, which some lawmakers, such as Republican Rep. Mary Miller, have moved to ban, suggesting a stance of situational neutrality.
With polling indicating that marijuana reform is a bipartisan issue, a pliable Vance—focused on advancing his interests over strict political orthodoxy—could prove advantageous for the cannabis industry, predicted Schain.
“If the authority is afforded to him,” Schain said, “he could be slightly helpful to us.”
Navigating Federal and State Dynamics on Cannabis Policy
JD Vance’s position on marijuana laws emphasizes the continuous conflict between the federal and state governments in the US. As a senator, Vance has consistently argued that marijuana laws belong in the states, supporting libertarian principles that reject more federal involvement. This stance represents a larger political discussion in the United States over the distribution of power between federal and state governments, especially when it comes to social policy issues like the legalization of cannabis.
States have been moving more and more toward legalizing, for both medicinal and recreational purposes, as a result of shifting public perceptions and the possibility of large tax gains. This tendency is demonstrated by Ohio’s recent passage of Issue 2, which legalized marijuana for adult use. The Ohio Republican Party fiercely opposed the legislation, yet it nevertheless passed with over 56% of the vote, demonstrating considerable popular support. Vance appears to be taking a practical approach to his political career, as seen by his neutrality on Issue 2 and his overall unwillingness to get involved in cannabis-related problems. Vance respected the state’s decision and avoided upsetting important voter blocs by taking a neutral stance on the legislation.
Vance’s opposition to the SAFER Banking Act reveals his concerns about public safety and the complexities of integrating state-legal cannabis businesses into the federal banking system. This act, supported by his Democratic counterpart Sherrod Brown, aims to provide protections for financial institutions that work with cannabis businesses, addressing a critical challenge in the industry. Vance’s vote against it reflects a cautious approach, prioritizing potential risks over immediate reforms. As vice president, Vance’s influence on federal marijuana reform would likely continue this pattern of careful pragmatism.
His New Right perspective, skeptical of expanding federal oversight and focused on economic populism, may limit his willingness to champion comprehensive federal legalization. However, his potential flexibility and focus on advancing his political interests could lead to some positive outcomes for the cannabis industry, especially if public opinion continues to favor reform. Ultimately, Vance’s approach to cannabis policy underscores the complexities of navigating federal and state dynamics. As more states move toward legalization and public support for reform grows, federal policymakers like Vance will need to balance these trends with concerns about public safety and federal authority. The outcome of this balancing act will significantly shape the future of cannabis policy in the United States.
Bottom Line
JD Vance’s complex approach to cannabis legislation mirrors the current debate in the United States between federal regulation and state autonomy. While he agrees with libertarians that marijuana laws should be decided by individual states, his cautious approach to federal reforms, such as the SAFER Banking Act, raises concerns about public safety and the complexities of integrating cannabis businesses into the federal banking system. Despite heavy opposition from his party, his neutrality on Ohio’s recent adult-use marijuana legalization proposal exemplifies a realistic political strategy geared at honoring voter results without becoming overly involved in cannabis-related problems. Vance’s influence as vice president might provide a balance of cautionary pragmatism and respect for state initiatives, perhaps influencing the future of federal cannabis legislation.