A prominent coalition of athletes and entertainers, spearheaded by retired boxing icon Mike Tyson, has formally called upon former President Donald Trump to adopt more comprehensive marijuana policy reforms than those initiated by the current administration. The group, known as the “Coalition of Athletes and Entertainers Supporting President Trump’s Policy Objectives,” comprises over 20 notable figures from the worlds of sports and music.
In a letter directed to President Trump, the coalition expressed appreciation for his past clemency actions but explicitly urged him to surpass former President Joe Biden’s efforts regarding marijuana. Their specific policy recommendations center on advocating for federal rescheduling of marijuana, significantly expanding federal pardons for cannabis offenses, and easing restrictive banking regulations that currently impede licensed cannabis businesses.
Critiquing the Current Administration’s Approach
The coalition’s letter is critical of the Biden administration, asserting that it has not fully delivered on pledges related to marijuana reform. They specifically highlight concerns that individuals remain incarcerated in federal prisons for activities that are now legally permissible in a growing number of U.S. states. The letter contends that despite some steps taken by the Biden administration, such as reviewing federal sentencing policies, it has fallen short, particularly citing the alleged denial of nearly all pending marijuana-related clemency applications in President Biden’s final actions.
This situation, they argue, underscores a significant disconnect between evolving state laws and static federal classifications, leading to continued federal convictions and incarceration for conduct widely accepted or legalized at the state level.
Policy Recommendations: Rescheduling, Clemency, and Banking
The core of the coalition’s appeal rests on three key policy shifts they believe President Trump should champion:
1. Federal Rescheduling of Marijuana: Currently classified under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act – the same category as heroin and LSD – marijuana is federally deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. The coalition argues that moving marijuana to a lower schedule would align federal law more closely with the realities of state-level legalization and medical use. They posit that such a change would stimulate innovation, encourage crucial scientific research into cannabis, and significantly boost economic growth across the nation.
2. Expanded Clemency and Pardons: The letter strongly advocates for a broader use of presidential clemency to address past federal marijuana convictions. The signatories emphasize that it is unjust for people to remain in federal custody for actions that are no longer considered criminal in many jurisdictions. They urge President Trump to issue widespread pardons and commute sentences for non-violent federal marijuana offenses, thereby providing relief to those negatively impacted by previous federal drug enforcement policies.
3. Easing Banking Restrictions: State-legal cannabis businesses often face significant challenges accessing standard banking services, largely due to marijuana’s federal status. This forces many businesses to operate primarily on a cash basis, creating security risks and hindering legitimate financial operations. The coalition points out that several signatories to the letter are themselves owners or partners in state-legal cannabis enterprises – including Al Harrington, Mike Tyson, and Ricky Williams – and have firsthand experience with these banking impediments. The letter highlights that this lack of access disproportionately affects minority entrepreneurs, noting that as of 2022, Black ownership in the U.S. cannabis industry stood at only 2%. Easing banking restrictions is presented as essential for the safety, legitimacy, and equitable growth of the state-legal cannabis market.
The Coalition: A Lineup of Influential Voices
The letter is signed by a diverse group of prominent figures from the sports and entertainment industries, leveraging their public platforms to advocate for reform. The signatories include:
* NBA: Kevin Durant, Allen Iverson, Steven Jackson, Chris Webber, JR Smith, John Salley, Al Harrington
* NFL: Jim McMahon, Kyle Turley, Champ Bailey, Marvin Washington, Tony Richardson, Ricky Williams, Dez Bryant
* Boxers: Boyd Melson, Paul Willias, Keith Thurmon
* Streamer: Adin Ross
* Musician: Wyclef Jean
This collective voice represents significant influence among diverse demographics, potentially bringing broader attention to the issue of federal marijuana policy reform and applying pressure on presidential candidates.
An Opportunity to Lead
The coalition presents this appeal to President Trump as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership on an issue with broad public support and significant social and economic implications. By taking more aggressive steps on clemency, rescheduling, and banking access, they argue, President Trump could distinguish his policy approach from that of the current administration and address long-standing inequities and inefficiencies created by the federal prohibition of marijuana.
