A group of Democratic lawmakers, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren and John Fetterman, is intensifying pressure on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to quickly remove marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, highlighting a prolonged review process despite recommendations for reclassification.
The coalition, comprising senators and representatives, has expressed impatience with the DEA’s ongoing evaluation of cannabis’s status, which is classified alongside drugs such as heroin and LSD that are considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. In a concerted letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, the legislators stressed the urgency, “It is time for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to act.”
Democrats are advocating for descheduling marijuana entirely, rather than merely reclassifying it to a less restrictive schedule, such as Schedule III, which includes drugs like ketamine and anabolic steroids. They argue that the current scheduling results in a “cascade of severe penalties” impacting criminal records, immigration status, employment, taxation, healthcare, public housing, and access to social services.
The push comes after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) suggested nearly eight months ago that cannabis be reclassified to Schedule III. The DEA’s review has dragged on, leading lawmakers to write, “While we understand that the DEA may be navigating internal disagreement on this matter, it is critical that the agency swiftly correct marijuana’s misguided placement in Schedule I.”“We are also hopeful that the DEA will not make the unprecedented choice to disagree with HHS’s medical finding that a drug does not belong in Schedule I,” they added.
This call to action is part of a wider push for marijuana reform, with the lawmakers’ letter also highlighting the importance of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation Banking Act (SAFER Banking Act), which aims to provide the growing marijuana industry with access to the banking system. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated his commitment to moving forward with this legislation.
The effort is not without bipartisan support. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, has suggested passing the banking bill to maintain their majority, noting that the votes for approval exist. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has expressed support for the SAFER Banking Act and intends to attach the legislation to a bill incentivizing expungements for past marijuana offenses at the state, local, and tribal levels.
In the international context, countries like Germany have made strides in legalizing marijuana, with their recent legislation allowing personal possession, cultivation, and sales at designated venues, alongside amnesty and review of prior offenses.
Relevant articles:
– Fetterman, Warren lead Democrats in urging DEA to ‘swiftly’ take marijuana off Schedule I, thehill.com, 04/26/2024
– HuffPost – Breaking News, U.S. and World News, HuffPost, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 02:12:18 GMT
– Democrats urge DEA to end delay, ‘swiftly’ reclassify status of marijuana, UPI News, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:24:15 GMT
– Lawmakers urge DEA to pick up the pace on marijuana scheduling review, Courthouse News Service, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:51:45 GMT
– Senators Warren, Fetterman Plus 18 More Dems Tell DEA ‘It’s Time To Act’ On Cannabis Rescheduling, Benzinga, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:03:39 GMT