CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten said Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s consideration of reclassifying marijuana could create political headaches for Democrats, particularly by appealing to younger voters who have become a key swing bloc in recent elections.
Trump told reporters Monday that he is weighing a move to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III substance, a change that would place it in a category defined as having a “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” Enten argued on CNN News Central that such a move could carry real political upside for the president.
“Take a look at those under the age of 35 because they have been a real swing group,” Enten said. He noted that younger voters shifted significantly toward Trump between the 2020 and 2024 elections, before drifting away again more recently. According to Enten, marijuana policy could be one of several issues Trump uses to regain ground with that demographic.
“This could be an issue that could help, among other issues, help bring them back into the president’s camp,” Enten said. He described marijuana reclassification as a potential wedge issue Trump could deploy against Democrats. “Democrats have talked the talk,” Enten suggested Trump could argue, “but I’m actually going to walk the walk when it comes to legalizing marijuana.”
Enten also cited prediction markets, saying they indicate an 88% chance that Trump will reclassify marijuana before the end of his term. If that happens, Enten suggested, it could further complicate Democratic efforts to hold onto younger voters who increasingly support changes to marijuana laws.
Public opinion data supports the idea that marijuana legalization has gained broad acceptance. Enten pointed to Gallup polling showing that support for legal marijuana has climbed dramatically over the past two decades, rising from 36% in 2005 to 64% today. Among adults under 35, support is even higher, with 72% favoring legalization. Nearly half of people in that age group — 49% — have reported using marijuana, according to the same Gallup poll.
At the same time, concerns about marijuana’s health effects remain a factor in the debate. Studies have linked marijuana use to serious health risks, including heart attacks and strokes. A May 2023 study examining data from nearly 7 million Danish men and women over almost 30 years found evidence that cannabis use among young men may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
Another research paper published that year found that older Americans with cardiovascular risk factors faced a 20% increased risk of experiencing a major heart or brain event while hospitalized if they used marijuana. Two additional studies cited by the American College of Cardiology found that cannabis users under 50 were six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-users.
Marijuana advocates push back on those concerns, arguing that cannabis is less toxic and less addictive than alcohol and that it offers medical benefits, particularly for conditions such as anxiety and chronic pain.
For Enten, however, the political takeaway is clear: if Trump moves forward with reclassification, it could blunt a long-standing Democratic talking point and potentially pull younger voters back toward the president, reshaping the political landscape ahead of future elections.
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