Bernie Sanders’ Would Take a Unique Approach to Legalization
Ryan Allway
October 29th, 2015
Policy, Top Story
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is taking a unique approach to legalization, saying that he would remove marijuana entirely from the government’s schedule of controlled substances if elected as the next president.
While the move wouldn’t amount to a federal legalization of the drug, it would strip the Department of Justice of its powers to prosecute individuals or businesses, while enabling states to enact their own measures to explicitly legalize the drug. It would also open the door to medical researchers looking to study the benefits of cannabinoids and enable those that want to grow their own medication at home to do so without fear in supportive states.
The move differs from the approach suggested by many other presidential candidates, who either refused to give a stance on the matter or simply insisted that the federal government would stay out of the matter (without removing the drug from the list). With his significant number of followers as a second place democratic candidate, the move also represents a major milestone for cannabis advocates in pushing forward a favorable agenda.
Read More: Dem Debate Uncovers Surprising Stances on Marijuana
Legalization Differences
The Obama administration has pushed to ease regulations that put non-violent criminals behind bars and effectively looked the other way when states legalized marijuana, but these moves left the door open for the Department of Justice to step in and enforce laws.
With marijuana remaining as a Schedule I Controlled Substance, the DEA and other criminal justice agencies thought it within their rights to prosecute individuals and businesses in states that had legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana. These raids have become increasingly commonplace, despite court challenges that have countered them, and they are likely to remain commonplace until the federal government makes a move.
Read More: Federal Court Slams DEA for Harassing Legal MMJ Operations
A second problem is that a Schedule I Controlled Substance has no medical value – by definition – which means that federal agencies like the FDA are unable to support the development of drugs that incorporate them. As a result, millions of Americans suffering from terminal conditions and other diseases are unable to obtain the benefits of cannabinoids, while governments aren’t even allowed to assess their efficacy.
Increasing Support for Legalization
Support for the legalization of cannabis has been growing nationwide, especially after states like Colorado legalized the drug without any issue.
In a recent Gallup poll, the number of Americans using marijuana has doubled over the past decade, rising to more than 22 million users representing 44% of respondents. A record 58% of Americans also expressed a belief that the drug should be legalization nationwide, which is the highest level in 46 years and ties 2013 results. These numbers are even more impressive when considering the 1981 to 1997-born demographic where support reached more than 70%.
Read More: Marijuana Goes Mainstream and Society is Still Intact
The issue of legalization has already come up in the presidential debates and several candidates have shown themselves to be on the right side of history. In November, voters will have an opportunity to decide where the industry is headed over the coming years.
Photo courtesy of Phil Roeder and used under Creative Commons.
This article was published by CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN), owner and operator of CFN Media, the industry’s leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the burgeoning CBD and legal cannabis industries. Call +1 (833) 420-CNFN for more information.
About Ryan Allway
Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.
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