Last August, the United States Department of Health and Human Services officially recommended that marijuana be lowered from a Schedule I federal substance, the same designation as heroin, to Schedule III, which includes drugs like ketamine and certain anabolic steroids. The HHS announcement came almost a year after President Joe Biden announced that his administration would review the plant's Schedule I status and pardon low-level federal cannabis offenders.
“I am thrilled by the Biden Administration’s decision to begin the process of finally rescheduling cannabis, following the lead of Colorado and 37 other states that have already legalized it for medical or adult use, correcting decades of outdated federal policy," Governor Jared Polis said in a statement after the report came out April 30. "This action is good for Colorado businesses and our economy, it will improve public safety, and will support a more just and equitable system for all. We look forward to when Colorado businesses will continue to safely fulfill the consumer demand without facing additional safety challenges and unnecessary financial burden that 280E tax provisions created."
In their comments on the Westword Instagram page, consumers are celebrating, but also have some concerns. Says Ric:
I feel like weed got less cool to smoke when it became legal.Responds Salvador:
Nobody smokes to be cool, it’s for the feeling.Suggests Kendra:
This is like getting a pizza party instead of literal human rights from our very milquetoast Democratic politicians.Adds Alex:
That just means states are gonna take matters into their own hands like they did with abortion.Warns Ricardo:
Big Pharma will just lobby to have it be RX from a “real” doctor or pharmacy and probably kill out the current medical game.Concludes Dawn:
The end of 280E and all the other tax bullshit cannabis companies have to deal with. They can invest in their product and their people. Get this done!
What do you think about the DEA's reported rescheduling? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].
