Federal Bipartisan Efforts Move to Re-Classify Cannabis

 

Finally a bipartisan bicameral effort is being made by some in Congress to reclassify Cannabis at a lower (Schedule II) substance on the Controlled Substances Act Drug Schedule. This may not yet be satisfactory for states that have legalized Cannabis, but it does open up the doors to medical marijuana across the country. At least it is a start.

It is important to support these efforts. Polls show at least 86% of Americans want medical marijuana available. And medical is the gateway to full legalization. Take note of the two House members who introduced the bill: Representative Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee teamed up with Representative Don Young, a Republican from Alaska. The bill is the House version of the Senate’s Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act. It was introduced in March of 2015, and notice that these are powerful senators who are well respected among their piers. The three are Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, and the libertarian-leaning Republican, Rand Paul.

The political reality is that this bill will not be a priority for the House. The Speaker of the House John Boehner is unlikely to schedule a vote on it any time soon. Nevertheless, Congressman Cohen says, “One day, there will be passage. The times, they are a-changin.”

 

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bill-to-legalize-medical-marijuana-introduced-in-the-house/