The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board took aim at President Donald Trump on Friday, accusing him of pandering to young male voters by easing federal restrictions on marijuana – a move the publication says sends the wrong message to “vulnerable young brains.”
In an editorial titled, “Trump Goes for the Stoner Vote,” the board argued that Trump’s decision to reschedule marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act mirrors past political attempts to sway young voters through policy giveaways – even comparing him to his predecessor.
“Joe Biden sought to wave away student debt to attract young people,” the board wrote. “Now President Trump is making a play for the bro vote by relaxing federal regulations on marijuana.”
The board went on to mock the message it believes Trump is sending to young adults: “Can’t afford to buy a home? Don’t worry, dude. Puff away your economic anxieties in mom and dad’s basement.”
While Trump has insisted that rescheduling marijuana “doesn’t legalize” the drug, “and in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug,” the board disagreed with that framing.
“Reclassifying marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act doesn’t legalize the drug under federal law,” the board wrote Friday. “But it does let marijuana sellers deduct expenses from their taxes like other companies. It also sends the signal to young people that marijuana isn’t all that harmful, despite mounting evidence that it is.”
The board added that the MAGA leader “may not realize that weed today is four to five times more potent than in the 1990s” and hit his administration for targeting Tylenol, “which has proven benefits and minimal risks,” while it “now says marijuana is fine.”
The conservative publication concluded that the decision was politically motivated.
“So why ease regulation on pot?” the board asked. “Occam’s razor says Mr. Trump wants to shore up support among young voters. On Thursday he volunteered that rescheduling polls well.”
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