In 1996, the legendary rapper Nas poetically imagined how things would be different if he ruled the world. The first words of that song may resonate now more than ever: “Imagine smoking weed in the streets without cops harassing…”
Since it was written (pun intended), nearly 6,500 Americans have suffered Federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana, a number that would increase dramatically if it included State charges. The White House admitted that, “while white, Black, and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people are disproportionately in jail for it.
Now, President Biden has proclaimed a pardon on all Federal offenses of simple marijuana possession and is encouraging United States Governors to follow suit, and political hopefuls like Beto O’Rourke are weighing in.
Meanwhile, 19 States have already made marijuana fully legal and states like Maryland have it on the ballot this Fall.
Despite being safer than alcohol, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug along with Heroine, LSD, and ecstasy.
- Schedule 1 Drugs: Marijuana, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, peyote, and mushrooms.
- Schedule 2 Drugs: Methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, Vicodin, oxycodone, and Adderall.
- Schedule 3 Drugs: Anabolic steroids, testosterone, and ketamine
- Schedule 4 Drugs: Xanax, Ambien, Ativan, and Valium
- Schedule V5 Drugs: Cough suppressants
Mariijuana’s classification as a Schedule 1 Drug has been continually maintained due to lack of scientific research to support its medical value. Considering that “medical marijuana” exists by law in more than half of the United States, it seems now is a good time to revisit this notion, and President Biden has instructed the Secretary of HHS and the Attorney General “to review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law”.
You may notice that alcohol and tobacco are missing from the Federal drug schedule. That’s because, despite being highly addictive and offering no medical value, alcohol and tobacco have been granted an exemption by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Because Uncle Sam wants you(r money).
One burning questioning remains: who will this development make more happy, Nas or Snoop?
