Marijuana to remain a Schedule I controlled substance. Why?

The Drug Enforcement Administration has, against all common sense and public opinion, decided that marijuana will remain on the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Schedule I is defined as a substance that is “highly addictive and without medical benefit.” This is a particularly bad decision not only for the thousands of Americans incarcerated for possessing or distributing this drug, it puts tens of thousands of people further away from useful and sometimes life-changing known medical uses of this substance.

Marijuana has been shown to be effective in prevention of treatment of many ailments, including glaucoma, some forms of cancer, Dravet’s Syndrome (which causes seizures and developmental delays in children,) anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus, Chron’s disease, Parkinson’s, PTSD, Concussions, and after effects of stroke. There is no credible medical evidence to show that it is addictive.

It is time we evaluate the never ending and hopeless drug war in this country. Re-classifying marijuana is a logical and overdue first step in this process. Let’s spend our money where it will be useful; not enforcing outdated and ineffective laws.