“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” Biden said in December. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”
That was never even on the table for the last 80 years. That’s an incredible statement. And, well, decision.
Still, in before the TeH jEnOsiDez brigades poop on it.
I would assume that, now that this is in the same category as Tylenol with codeine, this opens up proper prescription access to anyone living in the few remaining states that have bans.
Moreover, I would imagine that this now means certain dispensaries and producers can now use banks. Probably only the medical producers and dispensaries for now, but nevertheless, this is huge. It means people can now properly invest in the marijuana industry.
I see they finally figured out how to get around that recursion error of: “In order to reclassify from Schedule I, we need more research on it.” <=> “It is illegal to research Schedule I drugs, so it must be rescheduled before more research can be done.”
At the very least this will likely make it medically legal across the US. Which means this map will now be entirely bright and dark green. The orange and light green states will vanish. If you’re in Idaho, Dr. Nick can now get you a script.
Moreover, this also means that many in the industry, likely the medical dispensaries, will likely be able to use federal banks. No more cash / debit only businesses.
It’s not full recreational use, but these are pretty big steps for access and allowing the marijuana industry to function like a boring normal businesses. I’ll take it. This is huge.
They should milk it for PR purposes. That’s how politics works. Politicians need to pander to their electoral base. Eventually the pressure from Gaza will also influence policy. The issue is the youth protesting Gaza don’t understand politics and don’t engage politically beyond protests so Biden doesn’t have to pander to that base (yet)
Eventually, the Democrats will figure out that a portion of the "progressive youth vote" they've been ignoring forever are in their 40s and are in fact tired of the DNC status quo.
The youth are more than capable of understanding politics, and that’s a large reason they don’t engage. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the system is flawed and their votes in gerrymandered districts aren’t going to have a significant impact on elections, policy, laws, or the illegitimate court that subverts the will of the people.
If protesting is what needs to be done to get politicians attention and potential change then that already is the more effective option.
The system is flawed, for sure, but it works. A lot of policy has shaped or changed the course of American institutions in the past five decades and to pretend otherwise is simply ignorance or naivete. No, the youth are not engaged because they are apathetic and they expect to see quick results. The reality is that politics is not exciting but a slow and laborious process. It takes time and effort to move things. Protesting is nice and dandy, but how effective have they been lately? Where are all the occupy wall street folks now? Without a clear path to concrete policy it’s just misguided energy.
Call me naive and ignorant, all you want. Many of the policies that have positively shaped anything over the past 50 years are being undone, in a quick and dramatic fashion like Roe v. Wade. We’re governed by chriso-fascists, anti-intellectuals, or the elderly in every branch of government. The only things that happen slowly are the things designed to benefit the many and are only passed because of concessions to benefit the few. It’s an open secret you can bribe congress and Supreme court justices without consequences. Appointing unqualified judges to supreme and federal courts gets you a get out of jail free card.
How can the working class hope to influence policy if everyone they elect (by overcoming voter surpression and gerrandering) or who is appointed can be “lobbied”, bribed, blackmailed or given gifts to further their respective billionaires agendas?
Given the results of the encampments and the results of our elected officials it looks like hitting the poles is > just misguided energy.
One quick edit to say that everyone should still vote because we’re all fucked if that fascist mango colored felon gets elected.
I understand the frustration. Yes, sometimes protesting helps. But to expect major policy change with only a slim majority in house or senate betrays a lack of understanding of how politics works.
The agency’s move, confirmed to the AP on Tuesday by five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive regulatory review, clears the last significant regulatory hurdle before the agency’s biggest policy change in more than 50 years can take effect.
Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. It moves pot to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids, following a recommendation from the federal Health and Human Services Department.
Waiting patiently for Dozing Don’s fans to tell us why this means nothing, and Biden is getting nothing accomplished.
So is peoyte, mdma, and psilocybin. Personally, I think only heroin and methaqualone really deserve to be Schedule I drugs. Heck mdma is scheduled higher than actual meth!
Add comment