In 2014, the New York Times editorial board created a bit of a sensation when it published a six-part series calling on the federal government to end prohibition of marijuana. Readers have given him over 15,000 comments, both for and against (mostly for). Television networks interviewed board members, and major newspapers and magazines wrote articles about the series. There were also cringe-worthy headlines that crippled the editorial page. Twitter users fantasized about the Times opinion writer being stoned.
The general tone of the reaction was as follows. “Oh, if the sober New York Times thinks marijuana should be legal, maybe the federal government will eventually loosen up and follow suit.” But that wasn’t the case. At least until this week.
Shortly after the series was released, the Obama administration issued a detailed rebuttal, saying we had overlooked the serious problems of addiction and substance abuse that would result from legalization. (Actually, we didn’t miss them; we just disagreed with their assessment.) And that pretty much summed up the situation for the next ten years. While 24 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes, the federal government has never wavered in its assertion that marijuana is a Schedule I drug, subject to the same level of abuse as heroin and LSD. Ta. It ranks even higher on the list of dangers than meth, cocaine, and oxycodone.
Ten years after the editorial board asked the federal government to remove marijuana from the Schedule I list, the Biden administration began the process on Tuesday. The Department of Justice said it would recommend moving marijuana to Schedule III, like other drugs with a moderate to low potential for abuse or dependence.
While this is different from legalization, which can only be done by Congress, it would send a strong message of cultural acceptance, especially for the cannabis industry currently held back by financial restrictions associated with Schedule I. It could be beneficial. Becoming a predominantly cash business. It would also allow the federal government to begin significant research into the effects of the substance, potentially prompting more states to legalize or decriminalize it.
There is no doubt that there is some politics at play in this election year, with the aim of impressing young voters who have deep doubts about President Biden. But that’s the way politics should be. In the end, the logical thing to do will be the right thing to do, even if it takes a decade or so.
