Maher warns Democrats over Trump’s marijuana reform push

Comedian Bill Maher warned Democrats on Friday about President Trump’s recent comments, which he said his administration is “looking at” reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

“New rule, I told you so. I've been telling Democrats for years, ‘The Republicans are going to steal pot from you as an issue,’” Maher said on his HBO show “Real Time,” in comments highlighted by Mediaite.

Maher played a clip of Trump’s comments in which he said, “We’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination.”

“What'd you expect? He is the master at winning votes from small groups who are passionate about one issue, picking up a couple percent here, a couple there, until on election night, it's ‘YMCA,’” Maher said.

“While Democrats offer up high-minded intangibles like equity and saving the soul of America, Trump says, ‘Hey, waitress, how'd you like to pay no tax on those tips?’”

Reclassifying marijuana as a less harmful drug would continue work started under the Biden administration, which began the process to make marijuana a Schedule III drug last year. 

Marijuana wouldn’t be legalized via a Schedule III designation, but criminal penalties would be reduced. It would allow for new research opportunities and let pharmaceutical companies take part in the sale and distribution of marijuana where it is legal.