:::::::USA Set to Reschedule Cannabis::::::: HHS Releases Recommendation Documents:::::::
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Email from MPP- Marijuana Policy Project, a pro-cannabis reform activist organization.
Last week, it was widely reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is preparing to accept the recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reschedule marijuana as a Schedule III controlled substance.
Rescheduling marijuana would mark a significant shift in how the federal government views the substance. Currently, cannabis is categorized as a Schedule I drug deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, making it illegal under federal law. By moving cannabis to Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act, the U.S. government is poised to officially recognize the efficacy and safety of cannabis for medical use, representing a long-overdue positive step that opens the door for a more sensible and nuanced approach to federal cannabis policy.
What Led to This Decision?
Cannabis has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, but it has been prohibited in the U.S. since 1937, over the objections of the American Medical Association. For decades, brave patients and loved ones, organizations like MPP, and legislators have been spearheading efforts to reform state medical cannabis laws.
After decades of advocacy, more than 70% of Americans now live in a medical cannabis state. The HHS found there are six million Americans using cannabis pursuant to the recommendation of 30,000 health care practitioners in medical cannabis programs, and there is credible evidence to support it. Thanks to all of those that spoke out and researched cannabis despite hurdles, cannabis now has “currently accepted medical use.”
What Will be the Impact of Rescheduling?
Rescheduling marijuana will help make cannabis more accessible for research, and help remove the stigma of medical cannabis, making it easier to pass state medical cannabis laws.
It will also remove some of the tax barriers preventing cannabis businesses from operating on a level playing field with other legal industries. States that have legalized cannabis have already generated more than $20 billion in tax revenue, created over 400,000 jobs, and boosted their economies. The move to reschedule cannabis can bring increased investment, job creation, and tax revenue in states where cannabis is legal for medical or recreational use.
Ultimately, rescheduling also increases pressure on Congress and the president to stop criminalizing cannabis consumers and providers, and to enact comprehensive federal legalization.
When Will Rescheduling be Final?
It’s unclear. It could be as short as a couple of months, or possibly as long as years. As of today, the DEA still needs to submit a proposed rule and there will be a public comment period, likely to last for 30-60 days. There may also be a hearing.
How Do I Weigh In?
As rescheduling makes its way through the approval process, well-funded prohibitionist groups are already expressing their opposition and intention to file lawsuits to derail rescheduling before the change is finalized. When the period for officially submitting public comments begins, we need to be ready to mobilize and defend the push to reschedule cannabis at the federal level.
Last week, it was widely reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is preparing to accept the recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reschedule marijuana as a Schedule III controlled substance.
Rescheduling marijuana would mark a significant shift in how the federal government views the substance. Currently, cannabis is categorized as a Schedule I drug deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, making it illegal under federal law. By moving cannabis to Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act, the U.S. government is poised to officially recognize the efficacy and safety of cannabis for medical use, representing a long-overdue positive step that opens the door for a more sensible and nuanced approach to federal cannabis policy.
What Led to This Decision?
Cannabis has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, but it has been prohibited in the U.S. since 1937, over the objections of the American Medical Association. For decades, brave patients and loved ones, organizations like MPP, and legislators have been spearheading efforts to reform state medical cannabis laws.
After decades of advocacy, more than 70% of Americans now live in a medical cannabis state. The HHS found there are six million Americans using cannabis pursuant to the recommendation of 30,000 health care practitioners in medical cannabis programs, and there is credible evidence to support it. Thanks to all of those that spoke out and researched cannabis despite hurdles, cannabis now has “currently accepted medical use.”
What Will be the Impact of Rescheduling?
Rescheduling marijuana will help make cannabis more accessible for research, and help remove the stigma of medical cannabis, making it easier to pass state medical cannabis laws.
It will also remove some of the tax barriers preventing cannabis businesses from operating on a level playing field with other legal industries. States that have legalized cannabis have already generated more than $20 billion in tax revenue, created over 400,000 jobs, and boosted their economies. The move to reschedule cannabis can bring increased investment, job creation, and tax revenue in states where cannabis is legal for medical or recreational use.
Ultimately, rescheduling also increases pressure on Congress and the president to stop criminalizing cannabis consumers and providers, and to enact comprehensive federal legalization.
When Will Rescheduling be Final?
It’s unclear. It could be as short as a couple of months, or possibly as long as years. As of today, the DEA still needs to submit a proposed rule and there will be a public comment period, likely to last for 30-60 days. There may also be a hearing.
How Do I Weigh In?
As rescheduling makes its way through the approval process, well-funded prohibitionist groups are already expressing their opposition and intention to file lawsuits to derail rescheduling before the change is finalized. When the period for officially submitting public comments begins, we need to be ready to mobilize and defend the push to reschedule cannabis at the federal level.
