A significant change in how the federal government treats marijuana could soon take place. Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order instructing his cabinet to move cannabis out of Schedule I and into Schedule III under federal law.
According to The Washington Post, the change would not legalize marijuana across the country, but it would mark a clear shift in how the government views the drug. Schedule III classification would acknowledge that marijuana carries a lower risk of abuse than substances currently grouped under the strictest category, a position long challenged by medical experts and state lawmakers.
Rescheduling marijuana could unlock new opportunities for scientific research that has been heavily restricted for decades. Medical studies involving cannabis have faced federal hurdles, and a change in classification could allow researchers to more freely examine its therapeutic potential.
The impact could extend beyond research labs. Legal analysts say the move may influence how marijuana cases are handled at the federal level, while also easing long-standing banking barriers for cannabis businesses operating legally under state law.
In Arkansas, Senator Tom Cotton reacted cautiously to reports of the expected executive order. He said he wants to review the details before forming a final opinion.
“I’ll reserve judgment until I see the exact order. A lot of times, these stories get ahead of the actual decision,” Cotton stated.
Cotton also raised concerns about the strength of modern cannabis products compared to those from past decades.
“Marijuana today is nothing like it was in the 1960s. The THC content is much higher, much more potent, and poses greater risks, especially for kids,” he said.
While acknowledging some public support for decriminalization and medical use, Cotton said Arkansas residents have not embraced full-scale legalization.
“Most Arkansans have sympathy and understanding for kids that maybe have a joint or for someone who says they need it for medicinal purposes,” he said. “But they never wanted to go beyond decriminalization to legalization and commercialization.”
He added that the potency of today’s marijuana increases the stakes of policy decisions.
“The active ingredient THC is much, much stronger than it ever was 20, 30, 40 years ago,” Cotton warned.
If the executive order is signed, it could influence everything from medical cannabis access to ongoing federal cases, while fueling fresh debate in states still weighing legalization.
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Cotton is wrong. What we had in the 60s was simply unregulated and no one knew the strength or contents by the time it made it to the streets.
If strength is of concern then lower the potency allowed per dose. Particularly easy to do with edibles.
If children are the concern, do not allow marketing it to look like candy
Legalize federally now. What’s legal to possess and consume in over half of the populated areas of The United States should not make you a criminal in states still being governed by woefully ignorant prohibitionist politicians. Cannabis consumers in all states deserve and demand equal rights and protections under our laws that are currently afforded to the drinkers of far more dangerous and deadly, yet perfectly legal, widely accepted, endlessly advertised and even glorified as an All-American pastime, alcohol. Plain and simple! Legalize Nationwide Federally Now!
The “War on Cannabis” has been a complete and utter failure. It is the largest component of the broader yet equally unsuccessful “War on Drugs” that has cost our country over two trillion dollars.
Instead of The United States wasting Billions upon Billions more of our yearly tax dollars fighting a never ending “War on Cannabis”, lets generate Billions of dollars, and improve the deficit instead. Especially now, due to Covid-19. It’s a no brainer.
The Prohibition of Cannabis has also ruined the lives of many of our loved ones. In numbers greater than any other nation, our loved ones are being sent to jail and are being given permanent criminal records. Especially, if they happen to be of the “wrong” skin color or they happen to be from the “wrong” neighborhood. Which ruin their chances of employment for the rest of their lives, and for what reason?
Cannabis is much safer to consume than alcohol. Yet do we lock people up for choosing to drink?
Let’s end this hypocrisy now!
The government should never attempt to legislate morality by creating victim-less cannabis “crimes” because it simply does not work and costs the taxpayers a fortune.
Cannabis Legalization Nationwide is an inevitable reality that’s approaching much sooner than prohibitionists think and there is nothing they can do to stop it!
Legalize Nationwide Federally Now! Support Each and Every Cannabis Legalization Initiative!