Reclassifying Marijuana

Youtube Video: Rhode Island governor asking to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule 2 drug

            Marijuana, a controversy topic that surrounds the legalization of cannabis as a medicine or for personal use, has been one of the most controversial issues in America. It is mainly debated in both political and medical arenas. According to "Medical Marijuana: A Continuing Controversy," Carol Eustice explained that "[d]ue to the social stigma that is attached to the recreational use of marijuana, the potential benefit that could result from its use as a medicine is being argued." The federal government regulates drugs through an act, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which does not recognize the difference between medical and recreational use of marijuana. Under CSA, marijuana is treated like every other controlled substances, such as heroin. Every control substance is classified under a schedule according to its relative potential for medicinal value and abuse. There are two schedules and Eustice proposed that "Schedule 1 drug means [marijuana] is considered to be potentially addictive with no current medical use [and] Schedule 2 drug means it would be considered potentially addictive with some accepted medical use." Marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 drug meaning that it has no medical value. Doctors may not prescribe marijuana for any medical purposes under the federal law; however, they can recommend its use under the First Amendment.

            During the 19th and 20th centuries, marijuana was a very popular botanical medicine. Yet, in 1970, the drug was certified a Schedule 1 controlled substance and was labeled as high potential for abuse. In1986, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), charged with enforcing federal drug laws, took an interest in medical marijuana patients and caregivers in general, and large cultivation and distribution operations more serious. Eustice stated that DEA held extensive hearings about the proposed change. The DEA's own administrative-law judge concluded "it would be unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence". The DEA however overruled the judge's order to transfer marijuana to Schedule 2, and in 1992 issued a final rejection of all requests for reclassification. " On December 1, 2011, Yahoo news reporter, Rachel La Corte, addressed that "Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee have files a petition with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration asking the agency to reclassify marijuana so doctors can prescribe it and pharmacist can fill the prescription" (http://news.yahoo.com/wash-governor-wants-dea-reclassify-marijuana-020305152.html). Both governors want the federal government to categorize marijuana as a Schedule 2 drug because marijuana is currently a Schedule 1 drug. They feel that patients with serious medical conditions should have access to marijuana.

            DEA is too strict and should understand the difference between patients with serious medical conditions and patients who abuses the drug. They can arrest any patient they suspect abusing the drug, but they should understand that marijuana is a medical drug and classify it was Schedule 2. Marijuana is a medical drug that eases the agony among benefit patients. In fact, DEA should calm down and stop perceiving marijuana as a negative drug. The website "Legalizing Marijuana" stated that "[m]arijuana is actually less dangerous than alcohol, cigarettes, and even most over-the-counter medicines or prescriptions. Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine of medical care" (http://www.uri.-edu/personal/atro6990/). Marijuana shouldn't be treated like every other controlled substances such as heroin or cocaine. It is a drug that actually works because it does help eases the pain for benefit patients. DEA is too strict with classifying marijuana as a Schedule 2 drug and they should reclassify it.

Eustice, Carol. "Medicinal Marijuana - A Continuing Controversy." About Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Osteoarthritis - Related Joint Diseases. 30 June 2011. Web. 03 Dec. 2011. <http://arthritis.about.com/cs/medmarijuana/a/marijuanadebate.htm>.

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