A coalition of veterans’ organizations has urged President Joe Biden, in conjunction with broader reforms, to take action to “counter” misinformation and ensure the administrative review on marijuana’s status is concluded “in a timely manner”.
In a letter to the President last week, several veterans’ groups expressed their appreciation for the directive he issued initiating the marijuana reviews last year. This led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to suggest that cannabis be moved to Schedule III of Controlled Substances Act.
The groups wrote: “This is a great opportunity for us to use science instead of fear and start reversing the injustices of prohibition.” The actions taken by the HHS and your administration have been historic and laid the foundation for the important work ahead. This includes the need to ensure the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accepts the scientifically and medically based recommendation expeditiously.
DEA is currently completing the review of its part before making a decision. The scientific findings of HHS may be binding, but the law enforcement agency does not have to follow the Schedule III rescheduling recommendations.
The letter states that “as representatives of the Veterans community in our country, these issues regarding safe access and research couldn’t be more important.” The individuals who protect our nation every day deserve all the support they can get as they deal with the physical and mental impacts of their service when they return from active duties.
In the letter, they included anecdotes of members who explained how cannabis helped them to transition from certain pharmaceuticals as well as improve symptoms for conditions like post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) or depression.
The coalition stated that “although we have seen incredible success with access to cannabis, this positive outcome is limited by the stigma of admitting use as well as the fear associated with missed opportunities due to federal restrictions on cannabis.”
They continued, “We know that misinformation is often fueled by fear and misunderstanding when it comes cannabis.” We ask your administration to work hard to combat this misinformation and to listen to your Veterans when they say something is important, even life-saving.
In the letter, it is also discussed that going beyond a simple rescheduling and moving towards federal legalization of marijuana would have many benefits. They said that by doing so, the military would be better prepared to face any future challenges in recruitment and resolve conflicts between state and federal policy.
They said: “As a group, we view the reclassification as a step forward in evolving our understanding of a cannabis plant that thousands veterans depend on for chronic pain and serious service-related illnesses.” “There are more steps to be taken after the rescheduling, and we look to you Mr. President to continue to support and prioritize access to plant-based medicines for all our active duty and Veteran communities.”
The letter asks the president to do two things: 1) ensure that the review of the schedule “is completed in a timely fashion”; and 2) ensure that Congress “builds upon this historic progress so that our Veteran communities aren’t left behind.”
They said that, “While the importance of cannabis rescheduling may be unique to each community or group, for Veterans, reclassifying marijuana means a brighter future for those who have chosen to serve their country.” To us, reclassifying cannabis means access to life-changing medicines, economic opportunity, healthy futures — free of opioids and wellness without the stigma and weight of unscientific regulations.
“Thanks Mr. President for initiating the process. The letter ends by saying, “We look forward to your leadership as you ensure that this action is only the beginning – laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.” The undersigned organizations stand with you to fight for safe access, research and a better tomorrow for our Veterans.
The letter was signed by Hemp for Victory (BVN), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Hero Grown (Realm of Caring), Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, Texas Veterans for Medical Cannabis, and Balanced Veterans Network.
Veterans groups are not the only ones who actively push for administrative support during the ongoing review of the schedule.
Kirsten Gillibrand, a senator from New York (D-NY), recently called for DEA to act “with great urgency” in order to reschedule cannabis according to a recommendation made by HHS.
In October, a coalition of 31 bipartisan House members sent a letter to the DEA Administrator urging her to take into consideration congressional and state marijuana-legalization efforts when the agency conducts its review of scheduling. The lawmakers also criticized the limitations in a simple rescheduling, and pushed for a complete removal from the CSA of marijuana.
These letters are a counterbalance to the other recent messages DEA received from Congress opponents of reform, former DEA and White House Drug Czars who argue even moving marijuana to Schedule III is too far.
Fourteen Republican members of Congress recently urged DEA “to reject” the top federal agency’s recommendation that marijuana be rescheduled , and instead keep it under the most restrictive category in the CSA.
Recently, two GOP senators, among them the Republican lead sponsor of an marijuana banking bill, which was approved by a key committee back in September have filed legislation that would prohibit federal agencies from rescheduling Cannabis without tacit consent from Congress.
Rep. Pete Sessions, (R-TX), separately submitted an amendement for a spending measure that would prohibit the Justice Department using federal funds to reschedule marijuana .
Supporters of cannabis reform and advocates of legislation have marked the anniversary of Biden’s pardon of marijuana and his scheduling directive with a call for him to do more, including by extending the relief of his pardon, and by explicitly supporting federal legalization.
It’s unclear when the DEA will finish its cannabis review. A former Food and Drug Administration official (FDA), however, says he would be “shocked”, if DEA didn’t reschedule cannabis by next year’s Presidential election.
Below, you can read the letter from the veterans groups to Biden about the marijuana scheduling review:
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The post Veteran Groups Ask Biden to Ensure Marijuana Schedule Review is Completed in a ‘Timely Manner,’ and Push for Broader Reform first appeared on Marijuana moment.
