Biden Backs New Policy Reclassifying Marijuana
Biden Backs New Policy Reclassifying Marijuana
The Facts
The US Justice Dept. is set for its biggest drug reform in over 50 years, reclassifying cannabis as less dangerous—a move endorsed by Pres Joe Biden.
The Justice Department on Thursday moved to shift marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to Schedule III — reclassifying cannabis as a less dangerous drug.
The Spin
Marijuana ought to be legalized, even for recreational use. Its legalization could reduce disproportionate penalties and contamination risks. Such a move would undercut drug cartels and the illegal market, although aggressive regulation and enforcement must be put in place, too.
Marijuana legalization has been a policy failure, with limited impact on reducing incarceration and no evidence of reducing racially discriminatory policing. The rise in non-casual users, with around 16M Americans suffering from marijuana use disorder, highlights the potential for personal degradation.
