As you may have heard, the federal government is considering reclassifying cannabis. Currently, the plant is a Schedule I substance, on the same level as heroin and LSD. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is looking at rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III, which is a less restrictive status. While the plant will not be fully legal, there could be some benefits—especially for medical patients like me.
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Right now, the DEA is holding a public comment period so Americans can have their voice heard on the matter. Once the comment period ends, the government will review the opinions of the people as they finalize their decision. Whether you agree with rescheduling or not, it’s critical to share your opinion (submit your comment here).
If we don’t submit comments, nothing changes. In my opinion, we can not allow Schedule I to continue. It hurts all of us! From a social, economic, and medical perspective, it is a disservice to cannabis as medicine and as a freedom for adults to consume and be free to do what they want to do. It’s about social acceptance, like alcohol or cigarettes. If we don’t share our voices, this will continue to be the status quo. People deserve to have a choice of substances they use.
What could rescheduling do to help patients and consumers?
The best news would be that moving cannabis from one schedule to another would allow further research and would increase access to single compound cannabis pharmaceuticals but it is unknown what it would do to statewide cannabis programs for medical or adult use consumers. State-regulated cannabis programs—even medical programs–do not fit into the controlled environment established for federally scheduled substances.
In other words, rescheduling cannabis would not create harmony with state and federal jurisdictions, but it would be progress. It would increase oversight of a very messy playing field right now. Would it really impact those who have been harmed by the war on drugs or create a more level playing field for small players to participate in the industry? This is one of the unknowns.
Regardless, we have the opportunity to use our voice and position ourselves to be part of the change. If we don’t share our stories, no one knows. If we are not communicating with the government, how can we ever expect anything to change? If you have a voice and you believe in cannabis, share your thoughts today! You have until July 22nd.
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Each of our voices matter. We must do what we can with what we have right now. Tell your story in the comments. Write your situation out! Share the victories and the struggles. People don’t know what they don’t know.
Each one of us can submit a public comment to the DEA. Each one of us can be proactive and do whatever it takes to have our concerns heard. Advocate on a local level, a state level, and a federal level. If you don’t know who represents your town, city, or county and what their position is, find out! The same applies to your state, and now you have the chance to do it federally. Don’t let someone else and their extreme views the other way allow you to not have your voice heard! Submit your comments today!
If we all do it – united we stand. Speak to others in a way they want to listen to you. When writing your comments, be mindful. Many of us are incredibly angry. We must use terms others can understand. We must be mindful and respectful because nothing gets accomplished if all we do is complain. Offer options and ideas.
If you do decide to submit an opinion, please share that you commented and post the comment link far and wide so we all add our thoughts. Make it easy. If you’re a caregiver and the one using cannabis can’t fill out the form, help them. Follow and get involved with your local NORML chapter and Americans for Safe Access. These are the organizations doing what they can to make a difference. This is the link to do your part. Your voice matters! Let’s do this!
*This article was submitted by a guest contributor. The author is solely responsible for its contents.
