Republican Presidential Candidate Francis Suarez Calls for Federal Cannabis Reform to Address Safety Concerns Barrier
Republican 2024 presidential candidate Francis Suarez is advocating for federal cannabis policy reform, highlighting the need for it to catch up with states that have already legalized cannabis. Suarez, who currently serves as the mayor of Miami, believes that federal lawmakers should defer to state policies in regulating cannabis if they are unable to find a responsible path to ending prohibition. He argues that the current federal policy puts public safety at risk, as most state-legal cannabis businesses are barred from access to the banking system and are forced to operate in cash. This, in turn, endangers the lives of industry workers and contributes to an increase in violent crime.
Suarez’s stance on federal cannabis policy sets him apart from other major Republican presidential candidates, none of whom have indicated a proactive approach to ending federal cannabis prohibition. However, the mayor’s position has faced criticism from Floridians who assert that they were hindered from obtaining medical cannabis licenses in Miami during Suarez’s tenure. The city had argued in litigation that federal prohibition takes precedence over the state’s medical marijuana program.
It was not until 2022 that a federal judge ruled in favor of medical cannabis dispensary license applicants who had sued the city a year prior. The judge denied the city officials’ request to have the lawsuit heard in federal court, determining that it should be handled at the circuit court level in Florida, as the petitioners had requested. Eventually, the City Commission rejected an appeal to block a certificate for a medical marijuana business, clearing the way for its establishment.
While critics commend the lift of the ban, some still fault Suarez for not actively supporting entrepreneurs who faced obstacles in opening their cannabis businesses for years. In 2017, as a member of the Miami City Commission, Suarez was absent during a vote that would have given police discretion to issue civil citations for simple cannabis possession offenses. However, he later stated that he supports this reform. Despite the policy change, the police continued to make numerous arrests, predominantly affecting young Black men in Miami. It is unclear if Suarez will seek the support of voters in a statewide ballot measure to legalize cannabis next year, as the state attorney general is requesting the Florida Supreme Court to invalidate the initiative that has garnered sufficient signatures to qualify.
Suarez’s newfound support for federal cannabis reform encompasses an endorsement of efforts to improve banking services for the marijuana industry. Bipartisan congressional lawmakers are currently working on a bill to achieve this, but a disagreement over a crucial section is causing delays.
While Suarez’s push for federal cannabis reform is gaining attention, his track record in Miami has garnered criticism from some quarters. However, he maintains that federal policy should align with the will of the American people and the numerous states that have legalized cannabis. Suarez believes that federal prohibition poses risks to public safety and calls for a responsible solution to be found. Whether his stance on federal cannabis reform will resonate with voters remains to be seen, as the topic continues to evolve on the national stage.
