I don't disagree with anything you've said here. But from a rhetorical standpoint, I think the marijuana message is intended to reach disaffected young / middle-aged white voters (maybe even boomers). It's pandering for sure, but not (in my view) to a Black audience.

Ideally for everyone of every race / ethnicity / cultural background, our candidates will address substantive issues (reparations is a good example) so that we can feel some sort of loyalty (or opposition) to their position. There are a few honest and committed candidates out there, and it is up to us voters to seek them out and support them.