Connor Gaudette: Marijuana Should be Rescheduled, not Legalized

Schedule 1 narcotics include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, bath salts, and marijuana. Notable drugs amongst Schedule 2 narcotics include methamphetamine and oxycodone. Alcohol, which causes almost 90,000 deaths annually, and tobacco, which causes more than 480,000 deaths annually, are both legal substances available to the public with no more restriction than the taxes put on them. In my opinion, marijuana is not deserving of its place as a Schedule 1 narcotic. This is not to say it should be legalized completely, but there is no reason as to why it should not be reclassified by the federal government.

The New York Time’s writes that, “we believe that the evidence is overwhelming that addiction and dependence are relatively minor problems, especially compared with alcohol and tobacco.” Marijuana has never been linked to a single death and moderate use of poses no serious risk to healthy adults, which contradicts the guidelines surrounding Schedule 1 drugs. Lumping marijuana in the same category as heroin is “unreasonable and unnecessary.”

Essentially, marijuana should be classified as a Schedule 3 narcotic. This class of drugs is meant for medically usable drugs which are safer and pose less of a threat than those in Schedule 1 and 2. Whether it becomes a Schedule 2 or 3 drug, all that matters is that it is imperative that it is reclassified. Rescheduling marijuana will put us in a much better position to make a decision as to whether or not to fully legalize marijuana for recreational use. It must again be understood however that this will not happen if it remains a Schedule 1 drug.

Rescheduling marijuana would allow scientists to better research the plant and most importantly, its health effects. With its status as a Schedule 1 drug, limitations are tight on who can conduct research and the source of funding for such research. Opening the gates to government research and funding would allow for thorough research on the effects of marijuana. As of now, the case seems to be that little is known about marijuana and its effects, simply because there is no evidence on any of it. These health effects were never researched extensively in the 1970’s when it was declared to be a Schedule 1 narcotic, and no progress has been made since because it continues to reside in such restrictions.

Not only will research be conducted on the negative health effects of marijuana use, but also on the potential medical benefits. Warren Lammert, the chairman of the epilepsy foundation, said that the monopoly the government holds over this industry impedes research and that it is impossible for doctors to study the drug, which may hold profound medical benefits. Research should be valued and sought after in order to find the truth behind marijuana. A CBS poll reported that 61% of the American public are in support of marijuana and the benefits it may hold. With a statistic like this, there is no reason as to why extensive and open research should not have already been conducted. The DEA cannot reschedule marijuana until it changes it stance on its medical use; which again, simply requires research.

How is it so that 26 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana in some form while it remains a Schedule 1 narcotic under federal law?

There is speculation that government authorities limit research through the restrictions they have placed on how it can be conducted. It is a long process to be granted access to provide research on marijuana. The government has a select amount of marijuana, which is given to researchers of their choosing to research the drug. Most all of the requests made by private companies to conduct research are denied and never cleared by the government. This speculation is not far off, since little to no valid research is presented in the argument against rescheduling marijuana. The “science” behind their reasoning is obstructed from view from the public with no clear evidence of why this is the case. The government is in control of who they legally provide marijuana to for research, and they have limited this research by allowing so little scientists to conduct it. Also, any research conducted without this approval or governmental marijuana is deemed invalid. Research should be valued and sought after in order to move forward. The truth will soon come out however, as the sense of urgency for evidence grows on both sides of the argument.

New legislation was presented to Congress last month by two Florida congressmen. Matt Gaetz and Darren Soto presented legislation that would reschedule marijuana as a Schedule III substance. Gatez stated that this legislation is simply aimed at “bolstering research and creating an economic boost” through medical marijuana. If this were to be adopted, it would in no way effect the recreation use of marijuana and the laws regarding legalization. In my opinion, this is exactly the first step that should be taken in moving forward in this fight against marijuana. Until this legislation can be voted on however; the DEA said that they will begin allowing private companies to cultivate marijuana for research, and many companies have already begun the application process.