Pubdate: Thu, 18 Aug 2016
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Column: The 420
Copyright: 2016 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

SAME OLD SONG

So did the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency finally make a decision?

B.A. "Ted" Breath

Meh. They did, but it's pretty much the same old song, although they 
did make a small change. In case you missed it: Last week, the DEA 
decided not to change cannabis' Schedule I status, meaning that the 
DEA still considers cannabis to be of no medical use and to be highly 
addictive, like GHB or heroin. Go figure. I talked about some of the 
reasons why the DEA probably wouldn't change their position on pot in 
the column before this one (see "Overscheduled," August 11). I had 
thought they would have tried to stall for a while longer, but they 
didn't. Maybe they should have.

The new rules still keep cannabis listed as Schedule I, but they have 
loosened the restrictions on researchers who want to grow marijuana 
to use in medical studies.

Previously, scientists were only allowed to use cannabis from the 
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Now, medical professionals looking 
to perform clinical trials can go the DEA website 
(http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ drugreg/index.html#regapps), fill 
out form 225 and hope that they get approval. Good luck!

A few cool things have happened though: Many top scientists and 
politicians have lambasted the DEA's decision. Dr. Carl Hart, a 
neuroscientist and associate professor of psychology at Columbia 
University, had this criticism in a recent Scientific American 
article: "The inconsistency of Federal laws with these other programs 
and initiatives, and with the increasing number of studies 
demonstrating the medical usefulness of the substance, makes 
marijuana's Schedule I status seem like medical and/or governmental 
hypocrisy, undermining people's' trust in the relevant federal 
agencies." And, he pointed out, "Recently, DEA commissioner Chuck 
Rosenberg described the very concept of medical marijuana as 'a 
joke.' Perhaps it's also a joke that a law enforcement agency has the 
final word on a medical issue."

Nice burn, Dr. Hart.

He's not the only one. Here is Earl Blumenauer, an Oregon 
congressman, giving them heck: "Keeping marijuana at Schedule I 
continues an outdated, failed approach-leaving patients and marijuana 
businesses trapped between state and federal laws. ... It's not right 
or fair," he said in a statement.

The DEA's self-serving decision even prompted Democratic Party 
presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to release a statement on how 
she would change the law if she were to be elected.

"As president, Hillary will build on the important steps announced 
today by rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule II 
substance. She will also ensure Colorado, and other states that have 
enacted marijuana laws, can continue to serve as laboratories of democracy."

It is so nice when politicians finally start listening to their 
constituents. Let us continue to help the DEA make good decisions by 
supporting cannabis legalization efforts on a local and national level.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom