Full legalization of cannabis gains momentum in the US and puts pressure on Trump
Organizations are pressuring President Trump to legalize marijuana in the US, going beyond mere rescheduling and seeking to repair the damages of historical prohibition
As the United States government considers moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), drug policy reform organizations are making a direct plea to President Donald Trump: the full legalization of the plant.
The initiative came from the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), which launched a petition asking the government to go beyond rescheduling. For the entity, only removing marijuana from the controlled substances lists can effectively end decades of criminalization and inequality.
Understand - Cannabis in Schedule 3 and the impact of rescheduling on US laws
Rescheduling as a path
According to the DPA, moving marijuana to Schedule III would bring some tax relief to sector companies, but the main issue would remain untouched: people would still be arrested for marijuana-related conduct.
The organization argues that the complete removal of cannabis from the CSA should be accompanied by equity measures, such as expunging prior convictions, reinvesting in communities affected by prohibition, and regulations that prioritize public health.
Debate gains new chapters
The movement comes amid recent statements by Trump that he will make a decision on the issue in a few weeks. While the DPA pushes for full legalization, a coalition of prohibitionist groups, led by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), which brings together police officers and religious leaders, sent a letter to the president asking marijuana to remain in Schedule I.
With information from Marijuana Moment.