Pubdate: Sat, 09 Apr 2016
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2016 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Note: Los Angeles Times

DEA SHOULD RECLASSIFY MARIJUANA

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is classified 
as a schedule 1 drug, which means it has no medicinal value and is 
highly addictive. But the Drug Enforcement Administration is, once 
again, considering moving it to a less restrictive category that 
better reflects both its danger and the undeniable facts on the 
ground - that nearly half the states in the nation allow the use of 
cannabis for medical purposes, and several allow it to be used 
recreationally. The DEA told lawmakers that it intends to make a 
decision by July.

The schedule 1 designation for marijuana has been a ludicrously 
restrictive classification since it was imposed in 1970, lumping 
cannabis in with heroin and LSD. The DEA has twice considered and 
rejected requests to reclassify the drug over the last two decades. 
The last time was in 2011. Frankly, a change is long overdue.

The DEA's reluctance in the past to reclassify the drug has hindered 
research that could shed light on the uses (or dangers) of marijuana 
as a medicine, and could help guide smarter marijuana policies in 
general. Because it is a Schedule 1 drug, researchers interested in 
studying its health effects have faced bureaucratic hurdles and 
strict controls, including limited legal access to the drug. Last 
year, just eight researchers received marijuana for medical study 
from the one government-sanctioned cannabis farm in the country. So, 
the federal government has effectively suppressed research on 
marijuana, and then authorities argue there are not enough longterm 
studies to justify reclassifying it.

The lack of research hasn't stopped 23 states from allowing the use 
of the drug for pain relief and other medical purposes. But it has 
denied doctors and patients important information about the risks or benefits.

Nor has the Schedule 1 classification stopped voters in four states 
from legalizing marijuana for adult use. Yet the DEA still treats 
marijuana as if it's as addictive as heroin and more dangerous than 
cocaine and methamphetamine, which are listed as schedule 2 drugs.

It's heartening that the federal government is reconsidering this 
misguided policy. The easiest, most sensible move would be for the 
DEA to reclassify marijuana so that it's treated as a prescription 
drug, complete with Food and Drug Administration oversight. The 
harder, but inevitable question as more states consider legalizing 
recreational use is whether federal authorities and lawmakers should 
remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act altogether so 
states can choose whether to regulate marijuana for adult consumption 
without running afoul of federal law.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom