Biden promised the same thing and then didn’t do shit. They clearly like to dangle this carrot without acting on it so they can continue to leverage it for votes.
Decriminalization is not the same as legalization. In terms of legalization, he only supported legalization for medical marijuana which is the process he started. He actually pledged to move it to schedule 2 but has started the process to move it to schedule 3. That process is getting closer for what it's worth. The DEA has really dragged it out but it's nearly at the end with the public hearing in December
From the source that politico links to
he will support the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes
[...]
reschedule cannabis as a schedule II drug so researchers can study its positive and negative impacts.
Yea it’s still full of “is going to” and “process getting closer” stuff. He had 4 full years and didn’t do anything until halfway through his last year specifically so the next election cycle could continue to have a carrot to dangle. That was 3 more years of people having their lives permanently ruined.
The existing law outlines the complicated process. Biden cannot do it instantly. Here's an overview of the process that's already been done so far
Now the rule has been proposed so we're at the end of that graph. That's what I mean when I say we're close. Here's the actual rule making procedure to do the rescheduling
Additionally, it's worth noting that earlier, dem senate leader was also perusing a legislative path until it was clear they couldn't get the votes. Hence later executive action
Color me surprised. It's not like they've made millions by confiscating people's possessions in the name of "the drug war". Oh wait, that's exactly what they've been doing since they were established. Seriously, fuck the DEA.
He could absolutely put out a memo saying “if a DEA agent makes a weed arrest they will be fired” as an officer action. And besides, democrats presidents have been promising to reschedule for coming on 20 years now, the process can’t be 20-years complicated.
Actually up until about a decade or so ago it had been Republicans who were promising to reschedule weed. The Democrats had been firmly against it until very very recently.