DEA Plans to Reclassify Marijuana as a Lower-Risk Controlled Substance, Easing Restrictions at the Behest of the White House
The HHS and DEA work to reclassify marijuana as a lower-risk controlled substance, signaling a historic shift in drug policy initiated by the Biden administration.
Years of record drug overdoses are an illogical time to promote drug liberalization.
Fentanyl is a household word. Overdose deaths hit 106,699 deaths in 2021, more than five times than in 1999. More than 300 die literally in and on the streets of San Francisco every year from drug overdoses. It isn’t just Heroin and Fentanyl. Two friends lost sons this year, one to a cocaine overdose. There shouldn’t be any surprise that many die not aware that their drugs are adulterated and corrupted.
Crack cocaine had an unacceptable death rate, but it pales in comparison to today’s numbers. It also presented with long term graphic suffering where these contemporary consequences are immediate and sudden. The congressional black caucus supported stronger drug laws in the early 1990s for the health and welfare of the communities they represented.
Not one was freed from prison
President Biden made a splash announcing the presidential pardon for all federal convictions of marijuana use or possession just prior to the midterms. In a press release from the White House on October 6, 2022: “First, I am announcing a pardon of all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana.” The Associated Press reports in December of 2023 that in retrospect: “No one was freed from prison under last year’s action, but the pardons were meant to help thousands overcome obstacles to renting a home or finding a job. Similarly, no federal prisoners are eligible for release as a result of Friday’s pardon.” During the State of the Union address this year, the president discussed his efforts to change the classification via the federal review process. “No one should be jailed for using or possessing marijuana,” he said.
Admiral Rachel Levine MD, Assistant Secretary of Health
This process, initiated by the White House rolled downhill to Health and Human Services to coordinate the process and landed on the desk of the most visible member of the department, Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary of Health. Dr. Levine, born a natal male, presents himself as a transgender female and wears the female version of the Commissioned Corp of the Public Health Service uniform. Dr. Levine is unconvincing bearing the trappings of femininity and never lets you forget, even for the briefest moment, that you are listening to a man dressed up as a woman.
Forbes reports: “Levine, whose job includes being head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, was ceremonially sworn in as a four-star admiral, making her the highest ranking official in the USPHS Commissioned Corps and also its first-ever female four-star admiral, according to HHS. She was already the highest-ranking transgender member of the Biden administration.”
Dr. Levine, apparently a former linebacker and father of two, transitioned in 2011 in his mid-fifties. He is recognized for his dedicated advocacy for transgender youth. His specialties and practice were pediatric and adolescent medicine.
Data reflects that the most negatively affected groups by cannabis and its derivatives are youth and young adults. You would think that the Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary of Health would be on the side of preventing harm to our youngest.
High potential for addiction and abuse
Author and veteran police officer (ret.) Friedrich Seiltgen writes the THE RECOVERING LEO:
“According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), about 9% of people who use marijuana will become addicted to it. This number increases to 17% for those who begin using marijuana during their teenage years and up to 25-50% for daily users.”
Keeping marijuana as a Schedule I is necessary and appropriate. Cannabis is likely the most frequently used psychoactive substance in the world. While it lacks the societal drama of Fentanyl, there are too many young people who suffer psychosis and depression related suicide linked to marijuana abuse. It is a drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
One of the tactics being employed is providing greater weight to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. To be clear, this is a survey being completed by drug users in a variety of situations. Again, this is by drug users, not just cannabis users. Police officers contacting drug users know how unreliable their testimony is either roadside or in a courtroom.
In the past, some data issues regarding rural, suburban, and urban youth drug consumers caused some inaccurate takeaways that resulted in skewed perspectives of NGOs and non-profits I was partnered.
The harmful and deadly effects
Kevin Sabet, president and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and a former Obama administration adviser, said the decision to reclassify marijuana is "the result of a politicized process," arguing that it "will be devastating for America’s kids, who will be bombarded with attractive advertising and promotion of kid-friendly pot products."
“For example, in Denmark, the incidence of schizophrenia steadily increased from 2000 to 2012 Reference Kühl, Laursen, Thorup and Nordentoft 2016), and the schizophrenia population attributable risk fraction (PARF) for CUD increased three- to fourfold over the past two decades, parallel to increases in THC concentration (Reference Hjorthøj, Posselt and Nordentoft 2021). The increased THC content may thus, along a potential increase in the prevalence of CUD, be a main driver of the population-level increase in PARF between CUD and schizophrenia.”
Knowing my limitations, I reached out to an exceptional drug cop, Sgt. (ret.) Keith Graves of Drug Intelligence Bulletin, Christian Warrior Training, and Conservative Cops. Like Friedrich Seiltgen, exceptional service and knowledge. I recommend them both for their outstanding content on Substack and beyond. Keith says:
“In light of marijuana legalization in states like California and Colorado, and President Biden's directive to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, it's imperative to consider the unintended consequences. Data reveals a concerning rise in marijuana-related DUIs and fatalities, coupled with an uptick in adolescent usage. Furthermore, scientific evidence underscores the detrimental impact of marijuana on young brains, hindering cognitive development and impeding learning. If we continue down this path, we are sealing the fate of our youth.”
Its all about the money: Amendment 3 in Florida
Nationally, there is only one beneficiary for rescheduling marijuana, the existing cannabis industry. In Florida, Seiltgen advises, “the cannabis lobby attempts to portray the amendment as a grassroots effort. Still, Smart and Safe Florida sponsored the initiative with ($) 54.93 million in contributions, most of which came from Trulieve, a marijuana dispensing company.”
"The only winner here is the marijuana industry, who will receive a new tax break and thus widen their profit margins," Sabet said. “Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug sends the message that marijuana is less addictive and dangerous now than ever before. In reality, today’s highly potent, super strength marijuana is more addictive and linked with psychosis and other mental illnesses, IQ loss and other problems.”
In a recent guest editorial opposing Amendment 3, I offered the following:
When Saturday Night Live was funny, the news segment commented on the suspension of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps for testing positive for cannabis. “If someone has a weed problem, the last thing you do is give them time off with nothing to do.” Comedian Ron White was arrested when his plane was searched, and they found one gram of marijuana. He asked his audience, “Do you know how small that amount is? One gram means that I’m out of weed!”
For decades, there has been a lighthearted attitude toward cannabis, even within the law enforcement community. Its distinctive odor provided numerous investigative opportunities and some entertaining encounters.
Rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III will lead to more negative youth outcomes and rocket power the cannabis industry financially. This shift will increase accessibility and normalization of cannabis use among youth due to reduced perception of harm while exacerbating issues like underage usage and related behavioral health challenges including psychosis and suicide.
Please keep all officers in your prayers.
Roland Clee served a major Florida police department as a Community Service Officer for more than 26 years. His career included uniformed patrol, training, media relations, intelligence, criminal investigations, and chief’s staff. He writes the American Peace Officer newsletter, speaks at public safety, recruiting and leadership conferences and helps local governments and public safety agencies through his business, CommandStaffConsulting.com. His work is frequently featured on LawOfficer.com, the only law enforcement owned major media player in the public safety realm.
References
https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-pardons-clemency-02abde991a05ff7dfa29bfc3c74e9d64#
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