New York congressional, state and local lawmakers are teaming up to rally for the complete de-scheduling of cannabis, pushing the attorney general and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEAthe ) to end prohibition rather than simply reschedule cannabis.
As DEA considers a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommendation to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) held a press conference alongside advocates, New York state lawmakers and New York City officials on Sunday to promote broader administrative reform.
“I think it’s clear: It’s time to legalize cannabis and expunge non-violent marijuana convictions,” Gillibrand said. “It’s time to make sure that jobs and the economic benefit resulting from legalization lift up the Black and brown communities most harmed by the failed war on drugs. And it’s time to give scientists and policymakers the freedom and data they need to make more informed decisions about the drug’s regulation.”
“This week, I’m calling on the attorney general and the Drug Enforcement Administration to swiftly de-schedule cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act,” she added. “The drug does not meet the medical or scientific requirements for a Schedule I substance, and its classification as such is woefully out of step with reality. The vast majority of Americans agree that cannabis should be legalized.”
Read more at: www.marijuanamoment.net