The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has once again shown where their priorities lie by postponing a hearing to consider rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug until after the November election. December 2nd is now the date, a timing that reeks of political maneuvering rather than genuine concern for public health and safety.
Back in March, the Justice Department proposed reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III drug. This move could have eased some restrictions and provided cannabis businesses with much-needed access to tax benefits. Over 40,000 public comments poured in, urging the DEA to act swiftly and decisively. But here we are, months later, with the DEA dragging its feet and pushing the hearing to a time when political winds might blow in a more favorable direction for those in power.
It doesn’t take a seasoned political analyst to see what’s happening here. By scheduling the hearing after the election, the DEA leaves the door wide open for further delays or even a complete reversal, depending on who ends up in the Oval Office. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and his GOP colleagues aren’t wrong in suggesting that this delay smacks of political calculation. It’s a classic move—stall, wait for the election results, and then decide based on what’s best for political careers, not the public good.
And let’s not forget, rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III is far from perfect. While it would be a step in the right direction, it’s not the full legalization that many advocates are pushing for. It’s a half-measure that might placate some but leaves the broader issues of criminalization and social justice unaddressed.
So, as we inch closer to December, keep an eye on the DEA and the politicians pulling their strings. The health and wellness of millions could be improved with a heroic act of legalization, but instead, we’re stuck playing political games with an agency more concerned with serving itself than serving the people.
Jaeger, K. (2024, August 26). DEA schedules hearing on marijuana rescheduling, delaying reform until after election – Marijuana moment.
