Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and a group of 11 other state attorneys general have signed a letter urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug. This move has drawn criticism from conservative voices who believe that Weiser’s stance on marijuana is misguided.
In a statement released with the letter, Weiser emphasized Colorado’s commitment to protecting its regulated cannabis market.
Weiser acknowledged the health and safety risks associated with cannabis use and expressed confidence that a well-regulated market would best protect consumers. By advocating for the rescheduling of marijuana, Weiser believes that it will enable the market to function more effectively.
Currently, cannabis is legal for medical and recreational use in Colorado. However, at the federal level, it remains illegal and is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This classification places marijuana in the same category as hard drugs like heroin, which has raised concerns among conservatives.
The federal status of marijuana has far-reaching implications, affecting various aspects such as banking, tax deductions, public housing, and federal employment opportunities. Even residents of states where marijuana is legal face these limitations due to its federal classification.
Weiser joined forces with attorneys general from Illinois, California, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey, and Rhode Island in addressing the letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.
They urge the DEA to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which would indicate that it has less potential for abuse, accepted medical uses, and a low or moderate risk of drug dependence if abused.
The letter suggests that the federal government look to states that have legalized marijuana and established regulatory frameworks. Currently, 38 states and U.S. territories have legalized medicinal marijuana, and 24 of them have provisions for legal recreational use by individuals aged 21 and older. These states have implemented robust regulatory frameworks to protect consumers from the unregulated black market and to address the potential risks, particularly among young people.
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While the attorneys general behind the letter represent a bipartisan group, it is important to note that they do not all agree on the wisdom of fully legalizing cannabis. However, they do believe that a state-regulated cannabis industry provides better consumer protection than the illicit marijuana market or the unregulated hemp-derived marketplace.
This push by state attorneys general comes at a time when there are growing signs that the federal stance on marijuana is softening.
The debate surrounding marijuana legalization continues to be a contentious issue, particularly among conservatives who express concerns about the potential impacts on society and public health.