Marijuana reclassification proposed over lower public health risk, documents show

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Federal health officials determined marijuana poses a lower public health risk than other controlled substances and offers possible medical benefits before they proposed ending its designation as among the riskiest drugs, according to documents released Friday.

The extensive scientific review illuminates the rationale underpinning a recommendation last summer that marked a significant shift in how the federal government has treated a drug that is legal for a majority of Americans to purchase. This is the first time the Department of Health and Human Services has publicly acknowledged marijuana’s medical use.

The health agency in August recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration change marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I drug, a designation reserved for substances that have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. The classification has long been a source of criticism that one of the most commonly used drugs is in the same category as heroin and LSD. The DEA has yet to act on the recommendation.

Marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes in 38 states, while the Food and Drug Administration has not offered an endorsement. Federal officials proposed classifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug, in the same category as substances that can be obtained with a prescription such as anabolic steroids, ketamine and testosterone.

https://wapo.st/48xQ7k3

Long overdue.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

1. Well timed for an election year... NT

[Haggard Celine]

2. Cannabis should be treated like alcohol,

although it's not really as dangerous as that. The feds should just drop all the restrictions and let the states handle it. Most of the states where it's legal are regulating it pretty well already, but I know the feds want to get taxes from selling cannabis.

[Hekate]

4. Agreed. Also, Legal vendors badly need to have bank accounts. Federal approval would let them have that.

[Haggard Celine]

5. Yes, that would help a lot.

We have tobacco and beer stores all over the place. They can put their money in the bank, why not dispensaries?

[Drum]

12. 👆This👆

NY State is a lesson in botching legalization thus far. Farmers’ crops just sit waiting to become a legalized commodity. Thefarmers’ bills are due. Meanwhile unregulated storefronts proliferate. It isn’t the way it ought to be done, and this Federal measure could really change things for the good. 🙏

[MagickMuffin]

7. Us Texans would be screwed yet again if left to the gop devices

They continue to f us over on this issue. Not a fan of their endless and needless cruelty to say the least.

[Haggard Celine]

10. Some Republicans support legalization,

but I don't think most support it. We have medical cannabis here, and it couldn't have been legalized if at least some of the Republican legislators supported it. But Texas Republicans are an entirely different animal. Y'all need to get it put on the ballot. I'll bet it would pass. That's what we did here, and 65% of the voters approved medical cannabis. It got shot down by the state supreme court, but after a few years, the legislature acted. They had to. A lot of them would've lost their jobs if they hadn't legalized it.

[MagickMuffin]

15. That's why we're screwed

Texas is one of eighteen states which do not permit any other form of initiative, referendum, or recall.

We can’t have the Texas citizens wanting to have any special privileges on how they choose to live their lives.


And you are correct in that there have been attempts to pass some sort of legislation but alas it never gets outta committee.

Thumbs up to your state for allowing you access to ballot initiatives.

[LeftInTX]

17. If feds reclassify, Texas will comply

It's not as adverse you think.
The lege just doesn't take the issue up.
It's not important to them. We have relaxed laws.

[Hekate]

3. KnR

[forgotmylogin]

6. My neighbor friend has fibromyalgia

She resisted trying CBD because she did not want to “get high.” She apparently has dealt with constant muscle pain on a regular basis since age 11 and she had tried every painkiller known to man and was flummoxed because she couldn’t take enough of anything to make the pain go away.

One day I drove her to the grocery store, and I commented that I would swing around so I could park closer for her and she said, “Don’t worry just park anywhere.” I remarked that I didn’t want her to have to walk a long way, and she leaned over and whispered, “I’m on the cannabis tincture, it’s an absolute miracle.”

I swear the only good thing about Missouri is recreational use is legal.

[Hekate]

8. I am impressed. My SIL is using a nighttime munchie to improve sleep & highly recommends it...

…for my chronic insomnia. My Tempur-pedic bed helps with the fibromyalgia, but gods forbid I should try travelling and sleep on something hard and unyielding.

[Warpy]

9. Good, it's about fucking time

and may future generations keep Harry Anslinger's grave fully planted with cannabis. Tons of cannabis, may the roots destroy his headstone and erase his name forever, except as an example of how bigotry never produces anything positive.

Then maybe we can get around to Nixon.

[Arazi]

11. Ffs hurry the fuck up!!!

Could be transformative for this election

[Calculating]

13. Get it done

Way late, but better late than never. This would at least clear up some of the banking and tax issues, although I still think it should be regulated exactly like alcohol.

[Tree Lady]

14. My husband is waiting to be able

to use credit card, we don't carry cash around. We live on west coast so has been legal for long time.

[IronLionZion]

16. It would get the young adult's vote for Biden and win us the election

legalized, taxed, regulated. Have it bring in revenue and harder for children to get.

[Emile]

18. At my age I am sick tired of waiting, just do it!