GOP House and Senate members, well known for their opposition to marijuana reform, have introduced a resolution simultaneously calling on federal agencies study the risks associated with high-potency THC products.
Rep. Pete Sessions and Sen. Pete Ricketts filed the legislation. They promoted it alongside the main prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana at a Thursday press conference.
In the whereas section, it is stated that “high potency marijuana has become more prevalent in the United States,” and that this poses “greater risks to health,” especially for youth.
The report goes on to state that “educational and awareness programs” are necessary to inform the public of the risks associated with high-potency cannabis, and “bipartisan efforts are needed to develop evidence-based policy to address the issue.”
The resolution will express the view of Congress, that the Drug Enforcement Administration and National Institutes of Health should “conduct research and support research” on the effects of high-potency cannabis on youth and vulnerable populations.
It is easy to overlook the dangers associated with high-potency THC.
@SenatorRicketts have introduced “Randy’s Resolution”, to raise awareness of the possibility of psychosis due to frequent marijuana use. pic.twitter.com/BG4rYVqExt
— Pete Sessions January 1, 2024
It also proposes that federal, state, and local programs be developed to educate the public about “potential risks of high-THC products.” Governments at all levels must also “collaborate” with medical professionals, public health organizations and community stakeholders in order to develop evidence-based policy that addresses public safety and health concerns.
The measure is referred to as “Randy’s Resolution”. It was named after Randy Bacchus. A 21-year-old man who committed suicide in an act that his parents attribute to his cannabis consumption, which they claim led to a psychotic incident.
The resolution states that the issue should be tackled bipartisan, but the original sponsors of the measure are all long-standing prohibitionists with controversial marijuana policies in Congress.
Sessions, for instance, earned a reputation of being one of the most aggressive foes of cannabis reform. He blocked virtually all marijuana bills from getting floor consideration while he was chairman of the House Rules Committee, until he lost reelection to the House in 2018. Sessions returned to Congress after winning a new district in 2020.
In September last year, the congressman wrote a letter urging DEA to “reject” top federal health agency recommendations to reschedule cannabis. Instead, he urged DEA to keep marijuana in the most restricted category under the Controlled Substances Act.
Rep. Andy Harris, R-MD is the other original sponsor listed on the House side. He has also fought against cannabis reforms throughout his career. The congressman, for example, is the man behind a longstanding rider on appropriations that has prevented Washington, D.C. from using local tax dollars to implement an system of regulated marijuana sales , even though voters approved legalization in 2014.
Ricketts, who was Nebraska’s governor and is now a senator, has consistently opposed cannabis reform efforts at the state and congressional levels. He has opposed cannabis reforms at both the state and federal levels as Nebraska’s former governor and now senator. This includes proposals for medical cannabis to be legalized in Nebraska streamlining the state pardoning process allowing banks to work with state licensed marijuana businesses.
As Ricketts argued against a medical marijuana proposal in 2021, he claimed that marijuana was a “dangerous substance that will affect our kids.” He went one step further, asserting, that if states legalize cannabis, “you are going to kill your children–that is what the data from across the country shows.”
The new resolution is modest in comparison to the cannabis background of its sponsors. Supporters of legalizing marijuana generally support the idea of promoting cannabis research, education and prevention of youth–even though they may disagree with certain rhetoric and data points in the measure.
The resolution will simply state that Congress believes high-potency THC products deserve further investigation. It does not include any directives or instructions for government agencies to act accordingly.
SAM, however, has been making much of this legislation as it leads up to the unveiling on Thursday. They have repeatedly characterized it as a “big win” as they promote the anti-cannabis message on Capitol Hill, as part of SAM’s 2024 summit.
The introduction of the resolution comes at a time when advocates are eagerly awaiting a final decision from DEA regarding possible marijuana scheduling reform. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has instructed DEA to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III , under the CSA. However, the law enforcement agency’s final decision will be made after its review is complete.
On Monday, 2 Democratic Senators called for DEA to legalize marijuana rather than just reschedule the drug. They also asked about the agency’s ongoing review.
Text of the THC potency Resolution Below:
Minnesota Marijuana Regulators Outline Plans To ‘Expedite” Legal Sales And Give “Early Advantages” To Equity Businesses
Photo by Philip Steffan.
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