“Reclassify Cannabis,” US Health Department Recommends to DEA
After a formal review, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reclassify cannabis to a Schedule 3 drug rather than a Schedule 1 drug. Currently, cannabis is classified in the same category as heroin and other highly addictive drugs that have a high risk of fatal overdose. Cannabis on the other hand has a tiny chance of fatal overdose and the cannabis addiction rate is currently thought to be around 10 per cent.
Schedule 3 drugs include low doses of codeine, anabolic steroids, and ketamine – all of which are arguably more dangerous that cannabis.
“As part of this process, HHS conducted a scientific and medical evaluation for consideration by DEA,” said the HHS in a released statement. It noted, however, that they cannot enforce this. “DEA has the final authority to schedule or reschedule a drug under the Controlled Substances Act. DEA will now initiate its review.”
The review into whether or not to reclassify cannabis was prompted by a request from President Joe Biden.
Despite the fact that cannabis has been legalized for medical and/or recreational use in most US states, cannabis is still illegal and criminal federally in the United States.
Reasons to Reclassify Cannabis – LPC
There are many reasons to reclassify cannabis in the United States. As stated above, having cannabis in the same category as heroin does not make much sense medically or scientifically. However, the United States along with many other Western countries has a history of demonizing cannabis use. There is also a close connection between cannabis and racism. The move to reclassify cannabis would be a step in the right direction.
But there are other reasons to reclassify cannabis.
Cannabis research in the US has been stifled due to its status as a Schedule 1 drug. Currently, the DEA has to approve any cannabis research happening in the US – and it tends to drag its heels on that. Further, many US cannabis businesses are forced to be cash only since banks refuse to provide financial services due to federal pressure and threat of aiding “illegal activities”.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to reclassify cannabis in a democratic society is the fact that the people want it. The vast majority of people in the United States support some form of cannabis legalization. Further proof is in the fact that 23 states currently legalize cannabis for recreational use and 38 for medical use.
The United States remains slow to act on cannabis reform, at least on the federal level. Hopes that Joe Biden might finally reclassify cannabis on his own have been dashed. The country seems to be moving towards it in baby steps – and this HHS recommendation to the DEA is one of them. However, whether or not the DEA follows that recommendation is another story.
Read the Original BBC Story Here
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