Justice Department moves forward with easing federal restrictions on marijuana
CBSMay 19
The Facts
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 proposed rule to drop marijuana from Schedule I, the most restrictive category, is now subject to a 60-day comment period.
The Spin
Left narrative
Marijuana ought to be legalized, even for recreational use. Its legalization could reduce disproportionate penalties and contamination risks. Such a move would also undercut drug cartels and the illegal market, although aggressive regulation and enforcement must be put in place alongside any change in legal status.
Right narrative
Marijuana legalization has already 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.
