Why do Dems seem a bit afraid of tackling a subject with 60%+ approval from the general population?

[Imallin4Joe]

I don't want to frame this as a criticism of Dems. This is pretty much based on my own curiosity.

Do Dems realize how much weed is traded on the black market, on a daily basis. In other words, do we understand how much non-taxed/untaxed weed is bought and sold. Some states have taken their own initiative and legalized rec pot. Some states only allow medicinal pot, requiring a doctor prescription and other often very difficult hoops to jump through.

Those states are seeing economic growth as the pot industry provides so many jobs. Legal pot is a tax revenue generator and these states are seeing benefits.

Legal pot at the federal level could create a national industry, with perhaps millions of jobs. The tax revenue is a necessity to help our country get through this tough time. Again, do we realize how much untaxed pot is bought and sold each day in the US?

President Biden's infrastructure plan is giving me some New Deal vibes. I support it 100%. Our country needs it. Legal pot can help pay for it.

Regarding human rights, it's the right thing to do. Stop caging people in prisons for non-violent pot offenses. Pardon them.

In poll after poll, I keep reading that support for legal weed from the general population is almost always in the mid 60% approval. Legal weed is politically popular.

We tax liquor.

Do we realize how much revenue is lost on a daily basis by keeping pot illegal?

Please Democrats, start talking about it.

[lagomorph777]

1. That would be great, but we have major threats to our democracy to deal with first.

Once we kill the Filibuster and pass HR1, we can start some serious legislating.

[dutch777]

3. Right on! The Covid Relief bill had over 70% public approval rating but not one Repub voted for it

Unfortunately voter support for initiatives do not directly translate to votes in Congress. I totally agree with the points on pot legalization but it is not a no brainer for approval even with public support and there are much higher legislative priorities.

[Voltaire2]

6. Could be done by exec order.

[Midnight Writer]

2. Where I live, I can walk into a store and buy pot. If I drive 50 miles to the east, I'd go to jail.

If I drive 100 miles to the west, I'd go to jail.

If I drive 200 miles north or south, I'd go to jail.

But anywhere I could drive, I can buy enough liquor to kill an army, no questions asked.

This is so silly.

Ever hear of a fraternity initiation in which a pledge dies from smoking pot?

[SYFROYH]

4. I think Joe still thinks of cannabis as the Devils Lettuce

[Xavier Breath]

7. "A puff of smoke started her on her way"

could have easily been a tagline from a '40s Lucky Strike commercial.

[Voltaire2]

5. The leadership is stuck in drug war mode.

It is a wedge issue that should be used to pry voters away from the Republican Party.