Why it matters: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging the Biden administration to fully deschedule cannabis rather than simply rescheduling it to a less restrictive category. Descheduling marijuana would have significant economic, medical, and public safety benefits and would correct the injustices committed against Black and brown communities due to the war on drugs.
What they are saying: Gillibrand argues that rescheduling marijuana would not address the systemic issues of racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Descheduling is a crucial step towards decriminalization and could reduce violence in the drug trade, boost the economy, and align the US with global markets. She is joined by several New York politicians and business leaders in her call for descheduling.
The big picture: Currently, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, putting individuals at risk and limiting access to medical marijuana. Gillibrand has been a longstanding advocate for cannabis reform and has previously introduced acts to legalize and expand access to marijuana at the federal level. She believes that supporting cannabis reform could positively impact President Biden’s favorability in the upcoming 2024 election.
What to watch: The recommendation by the US Department of Health and Human Services to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III could have a favorable impact on President Biden’s favorability among younger voters. However, Gillibrand and other advocates believe that full descheduling is necessary to address the harms caused by the war on drugs and meet the demands of the American people.
My take: I agree with Gillibrand that descheduling cannabis is a critical step towards rectifying the injustices in the criminal justice system and promoting economic growth. The majority of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, and it is time for the federal government to listen to their voices. Rescheduling alone may not go far enough in addressing the deep-rooted issues, and I believe that full descheduling is the right move.
