The Biden administration is facing criticism for its attempt to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I drug, a move seen by many as politically motivated and ignoring the science and potential risks involved. The administration’s push to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana comes at a time when the nation is grappling with a devastating drug crisis.
The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classifies drugs into five tiers, with Schedule I drugs having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. While marijuana has been the subject of previous rescheduling attempts, these efforts have failed due to a lack of scientific evidence supporting its medical benefits.
The Obama administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2016 recommended against rescheduling, citing marijuana’s high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use. However, the Biden administration, under political pressure, has reversed course. Despite the DEA’s disagreement, the administration is pushing forward with its proposed rule, even as the agency has yet to endorse the change.
The administration’s decision to reschedule marijuana rests on a flimsy argument: the legalization of medical marijuana in some states. This ignores the fact that the FDA, the agency responsible for approving drugs for medical use, has not found any legitimate medical use for marijuana. The FDA’s position is clear: there’s no scientific evidence to support the use of marijuana for therapeutic purposes.
The Biden administration’s attempt to reschedule marijuana ignores the drug’s potential for abuse and its addictive nature. One-third of marijuana users in the past year met the criteria for addiction, with half of daily users becoming dependent on the drug. Moreover, long-term use has been linked to mental health issues like psychosis, suicidal ideation, and hallucinations.
The decision to reschedule marijuana also raises concerns about the potential for increased drug abuse, particularly among youth. It is also irresponsible to facilitate the use of a gateway drug at a time when the nation is experiencing an unprecedented drug overdose crisis, with over 100,000 deaths each year.
This move comes at a time when drug cartels are expanding their operations within the United States. Rescheduling marijuana would essentially provide government sanction to the cannabis industry, allowing them to downplay the drug’s risks and cultivate dependence on it, ultimately expanding their pool of customers.
The Biden administration’s decision to reschedule marijuana is a dangerous and irresponsible move. It is a political gamble that prioritizes short-term gains over the well-being of the American people. The administration’s disregard for scientific evidence and the rule of law sets a dangerous precedent and threatens to worsen the nation’s already dire drug crisis.
