There's a word that’s floating around. You may have heard it. Freedom. It’s a powerful word, one that stirs up images of open roads, boundless opportunities, and the right to live as you choose. In the cannabis community, freedom means something more tangible and believe it or not, attainable. It’s the end of prohibition, the dismantling of unjust laws, and the recognition of cannabis as the beneficial plant it truly is.
The debate over how to handle cannabis at the federal level is heating up as it should. Should it be rescheduled to a lower classification, such as Schedule 3, or should it be descheduled entirely? As an advocate and publisher of Herbage Magazine, I firmly believe that descheduling cannabis is the only true path to justice and progress. Not just my opinion, but many, and much more than you might hear about in your traditional media outlets.
Imagine for a moment, you’re in a smoky bar, somewhere in the heart of America. A politician stands up, clinks their glass bong, and announces that cannabis will be rescheduled to Schedule 3. Cheers erupt. It sounds good, right? But it’s all smoke and mirrors. Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule 3 might seem like a step forward, but it falls short of addressing the core issues.
Under Schedule 3, cannabis would still be shackled as a controlled substance, with recognized medical use. This classification continues to heat the frying pan of stigma and criminalization associated with cannabis. It keeps the plant under federal control, maintaining barriers to research, banking, and interstate commerce. It’s like getting out of one jail cell only to find yourself in another, slightly more comfortable one. Seems delightful and doable in comparison.
Descheduling, on the other hand, removes cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act entirely. This approach recognizes cannabis for what it is and what we have always understood, which is that it is a plant with numerous therapeutic benefits and a long history of safe use.
cannabis would help eliminate the negative stigma that has lingered like a bad hangover for decades. It would stop the federal government from criminalizing cannabis users and pave the way for broader acceptance and normalization. It’s about time we end the witch hunt and let people live their lives without fear of persecution for choosing a plant over a pill or a drink or in many cases, seizures or cancer related ailments.
By removing cannabis from the controlled substances list, researchers would have the freedom to study its effects without the current bureaucratic hurdles. Imagine scientists being able to freely explore the benefits and potential risks of cannabis, leading to breakthroughs in medical treatments and a better understanding of its properties. Descheduling opens the doors to knowledge. Imagine the possibilities.
Descheduling would allow states to regulate cannabis without federal interference, promoting more access. This is the core of what we should be fighting for… “access”. It would also enable banking services for cannabis businesses, fostering a more stable and inclusive industry. No more cash-only operations living in the shadows; it’s time for the cannabis industry to step fully into the light which it deserves.
A fully legal cannabis market would create jobs, generate tax revenue, and stimulate economic growth. Descheduling would allow the industry to operate openly and transparently, contributing to local and national economies. We’re talking about real money here, money that could be used to build schools, improve infrastructure, and support community programs.
It’s a matter of federalism and freedom, letting each state carve its own path forward without Uncle Sam breathing down our neck.
It is essential to push for policies that truly reflect the plant’s potential and our evolving understanding of its use. Rescheduling is a half-measure that maintains outdated perceptions and restrictions. Descheduling is the comprehensive solution that addresses all aspects of cannabis legalization.
At Herbage Magazine, we are committed to advocating for policies that promote justice, equity, and progress. We believe that descheduling cannabis is the only way to fully realize these goals and create a fair and thriving industry for all.
Here’s to freedom. True freedom in the world of cannabis.