Politics in transition: Trump is planning a historic cannabis revolution!

Politics in transition: Trump is planning a historic cannabis revolution!

Significant political shifts are currently emerging in the USA that could have far-reaching effects on global markets. The Republican Party, which currently controls 23 states, plays a particularly central role. Former President Donald Trump is pushing these states for redistricting, which has led to the creation of five new safe Republican seats in Texas. California, on the other hand, is reacting and countering with its own measures to strengthen Democratic seats. Only 36 of the 435 congressional districts are considered contested, suggesting the possibility of a long-term Republican majority in Congress. This could have far-reaching consequences for trade policy and transatlantic relations.

The expected population shifts could also bring Texas four new congressional seats. Most notably, 97% of Texas' population growth comes from ethnically diverse communities, including Hispanic, Black and Asian populations. These demographic changes could continue to influence the political landscape.

Cannabis revolution in the USA

Another central topic is the discussion about the legalization of cannabis. The US government is considering releasing cannabis, which is currently classified as a Schedule I drug in the US, a status similar to that of heroin and LSD. Trump has said a decision on reclassification will be made by next week. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is proposing to classify cannabis as Class III, which includes substances with lower addictive potential, such as anabolic steroids and ketamine.

Trump emphasizes that the decision is not trivial and that both medical benefits and societal impacts must be taken into account. Prominent voices in the debate argue that reclassifying the drug could improve quality control for cannabinoids. Currently, approximately 17.7 million people in the United States use cannabis daily or almost daily, increasing the per capita rate of daily users 15-fold since 1992.

Although legalization is making progress, medical experts warn about the possible long-term effects of cannabis use, especially with frequent use at a young age. There are also growing concerns about rising drug problems in the United States, including dangerous substances such as the so-called “zombie drug” xylazine.

Economic and social challenges

The economic policy issues in the USA are closely intertwined with social challenges that are also reflected in Germany. While pension reforms are discussed here, the actual mathematical realities often go unnoticed. The Junge Union, for example, is calling for a pension at 70, while the SPD is proposing a tax increase for top earners as a solution. In this situation, the focus is on the average pension benefit period, which has increased from 10 years (1960) to 20 years today.

It is expected that the number of contributors per pensioner could fall to 1.5 by 2030. Given demographic change, Germany is aging faster than almost any other industrialized country, which is exacerbating the shortage of skilled workers.

Additionally, the upcoming US GDP report provides the first indications of possible future tariff policy under Trump. The coming week will bring important information about future economic and political developments in both the USA and Germany.

Overall, these developments illustrate how interconnected political ideologies and economic realities are and that responses to current challenges require both strategic thinking and pragmatic solutions.

Find out more about the political and economic background Exchange Express and the latest developments in the cannabis discussion Focus.