Kamala Harris unveiled a race-specific “opportunity agenda” on Monday, highlighting her efforts to win back disillusioned Black male voters. Critics have derided the vice president’s messaging as pandering, accusing her of appealing to Black men by promising to legalize marijuana nationwide, despite her prior record of prosecuting numerous Black men for marijuana-related offenses. Additionally, many argue that more pressing issues demand attention from a presidential candidate.
Men in general, and particularly Black men, have shown decreasing support for Harris. A recent NAACP poll revealed that 26% of Black men under 50 intend to vote for Donald Trump, signaling a shift in their support from the 2020 election.
“If Harris doesn’t get above 90% [with Black men], then she’s in trouble,” Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton told The Hill. “She really needs to energize Black voters and figure out a way to get them to turn out, particularly men.”
Harris and her surrogates, including former President Barack Obama, have responded by urging Black men not to support Trump, framing them as misogynists. After this approach failed to resonate, Harris shifted to a new strategy, rolling out her “opportunity agenda.”
The agenda includes promises such as:
• Providing one million loans up to $20,000 for Black entrepreneurs.
• Supporting educational and mentorship programs to help Black men secure jobs in high-demand industries.
• Offering race-based financial assistance to struggling farmers.
• Supporting a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and digital assets.
• Launching a “National Health Equity Initiative” aimed at Black men.
• Legalizing recreational marijuana nationally.
Regarding marijuana legalization, Harris emphasized that as the cannabis industry grows, Black men—who have been disproportionately affected by marijuana-related policing—should have access to jobs and wealth within the industry.
Critics have panned the agenda. Some highlight Harris’ previous record, noting she aggressively prosecuted marijuana offenses as San Francisco’s district attorney. Tulsi Gabbard famously pointed out during the 2019 Democratic primary that Harris “put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana.” Under her tenure, the conviction rate for marijuana offenses in San Francisco rose, and Harris even opposed marijuana legalization efforts in 2010.
Harris’ views only shifted in 2018 when it became politically advantageous. She declared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, “Nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed.”
Some critics also argue that her focus on marijuana perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Matt Antar, chairman of the New York Young Republican Club, asked, “Why is illegal marijuana an ‘unjust barrier’ for Black men? Is she insinuating that all Black men are potheads? This is racist.”
Others, like former NFL player Herschel Walker, criticized Harris for focusing on marijuana and money instead of education or jobs, accusing her of aiming to secure votes without creating meaningful change. “Every election, men of color become a focal point for Democrats—offering money and now marijuana, but no focus on education or jobs.”
Veterans on Duty chairman Jeremy C. Hunt also condemned the plan, suggesting that Harris “has this kind of caricature of Black men in her head, that we’re just these, you know, some California potheads looking for a government handout.”
In contrast, many Black men are more concerned with economic issues and health care, according to Pew Research. Meanwhile, Quenton Jordan, vice president of the Black Conservative Federation, noted that Trump’s message resonates because he’s addressing the real issues Black families discuss, such as the economy, rather than offering superficial appeals like marijuana legalization.
