Deschedule Cannabis versus reschedule.

We, the undersigned, stand united with the Cannabis Community, alongside 27+ lawmakers, veterans, patients, cannabis enthusiasts, medical professionals, caregivers, cannabis industry workers, entrepreneurs, legal advocates, researchers, environmentalists, parents and families, public health advocates, civil liberties organizations, community leaders, cannabis policy reform groups, mental health advocates, young adults, senior citizens, cannabis bloggers, influencers, and allies from other advocacy movements. Together, we urge the DEA to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act altogether. 

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Chief Administrative Law Judge Francis Young affirmed that 'marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.' Young continued: 'It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence in this record.'

"Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It's time that we right these wrongs and move forward with sensible reform." - Quoted from the president of the United States

The recent announcement by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Biden Administration, including President Biden himself, regarding the rescheduling of marijuana marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts for cannabis reform. However, it is crucial to understand the difference between rescheduling and descheduling. Re-scheduling would move cannabis to a lower tier on the Controlled Substances Act, potentially easing some restrictions but still keeping it federally controlled. De-scheduling, on the other hand, would completely remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, treating it more like alcohol or tobacco, and addressing many of the systemic injustices perpetuated by the current system. While this announcement is a step forward, it does not fully address these issues.

 

If cannabis is rescheduled to Schedule III, it could put it directly into the hands of Big Pharma, which has historically been an adversary to the cannabis community. This shift could prioritize pharmaceutical interests over the needs and rights of cannabis consumers and small businesses. Effectively keeping the people from using cannabis therapeutically.

Take action locally and lead the petition!

Let's mobilize together and spread the word. We're gathering all the essential details, and we need your help to share this physically through word of mouth, posters, flyers, and more, as well as digitally on every social media platform – from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, Tumblr, Reddit, SoundCloud, Social Club by Berner, and beyond.

Reach out to news outlets and influencers to amplify our cause. Start events in your community to raise awareness and gather support.

By uniting online and offline, we can ensure our message reaches far and wide. Let's make a difference together!"

The DEA has officially moved to re-schedule marijuana, opening a 60-day public comment period before the White House Office of Management and Budget makes the final determination. This is a crucial time for us as petitioners and advocates.

CLICK BELOW TO COMMENT

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/21/2024-11137/schedules-of-controlled-substances-rescheduling-of-marijuana

What We Need to Do:

1. Participate in the Public Comment Period:

   - Submit Comments: Share your personal stories, facts, and reasons why cannabis should be de-scheduled, not just rescheduled. Highlight the differences between rescheduling and descheduling, emphasizing that descheduling would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act entirely.

   - Mobilize Your Network: Encourage friends, family, and community members to submit their comments as well. The more voices we have, the stronger our impact.

 

2. Promote the Petition:

   - Sign and Share: Ensure you and your network have signed the petition at Change.org/deschedule. Share it widely on all social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Reddit, and Pinterest.

   - Local Outreach: Print QR codes and posters linking to the petition and distribute them in high-traffic areas, local businesses, and community centers. Engage in street team and guerilla marketing efforts to spread the word.

 

3. Create Local Organizations:

   - Form Groups: Connect with like-minded individuals to form local advocacy groups focused on descheduling cannabis.

   - Host Events: Organize informational sessions, rallies, and signature drives. Use these events to educate the public on the importance of descheduling cannabis and gather more support.

 

4. Engage with Influencers and Media:

   - Influencers: Reach out to cannabis influencers, celebrities, and public figures to share the petition and educate their followers about the descheduling movement.

   - Media: Contact local newspapers, radio stations, and news channels to gain media coverage for our cause. Share the importance of descheduling cannabis and the ongoing petition efforts.

 

5. Stay Informed and Active:

   - Follow Updates: Keep up-to-date with the latest developments in cannabis legislation and continue to advocate for descheduling.

   - Encourage Persistent Engagement: Motivate others to stay informed and involved. Consistent advocacy is key to achieving meaningful change.

 

What the Commenting Period Means for Us:

 

The 60-day public comment period is our opportunity to influence the final decision on cannabis scheduling. By submitting well-informed, compelling comments, we can push for the complete descheduling of cannabis. This period is a chance for us to highlight the benefits of descheduling and address the systemic injustices that rescheduling alone would not resolve.

 

Together, we can make a difference and push for a fairer, more just approach to cannabis regulation. Let's make our voices heard and ensure that cannabis is completely removed from the Controlled Substances Act.

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Did you know that the U.S. government has known since 1974 that cannabis can cure cancer? In 1972, President Richard Nixon sought a larger budget for his War on Drugs. To secure support, he wanted to prove that cannabis caused lung cancer like cigarettes. He commissioned a study from the Medical College of Virginia, giving them two years to research the effects of THC on the body.

 

By 1974, the study was complete. The results were astonishing: THC, when ingested in highly concentrated forms (such as cannabis oil), attacked mutated cells while strengthening and rejuvenating healthy ones. It was a near-perfect cure for cancer, working quickly and effectively on various forms of cancer in all stages, with zero harmful side effects. Unlike chemotherapy, which deteriorates the body and kills 1 in 5 patients, THC dissolved tumors and even combated superbugs like MRSA.

 

However, when Nixon saw the results, he was furious. He threw the report in the trash and classified the study. In 1976, President Gerald Ford ended all public cannabis research and granted exclusive rights to major pharmaceutical companies. These companies attempted to develop synthetic forms of THC without the "high," but failed.

 

We only discovered this study a few years ago, thanks to dedicated medical and law professionals who filed Freedom of Information requests. The government lied for various reasons, one being the influence of pharmaceutical companies. They spend billions lobbying to keep cannabis illegal because they make trillions off cancer drugs and research. They know cannabis cures cancer, but they profit enormously from current treatments. Cancer patients and their loved ones often spend their life savings on chemotherapy and other cancer drugs, enriching pharmaceutical companies.

This isn't the first time the government ignored crucial findings on cannabis. In 1939, New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia commissioned a report to study the effects of marijuana. The LaGuardia Committee Report, published in 1944, concluded that marijuana was not a gateway drug and posed no significant public health hazard. Despite these findings, the report was ignored by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and its head, Harry Anslinger, who continued to campaign against cannabis, leading to its criminalization.

Not only that, the Shafer Commission, established by Nixon in 1972, also provided significant insights. Formally known as the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, it conducted extensive research and ultimately recommended the decriminalization of cannabis for personal use. Despite these findings, Nixon chose to ignore their recommendations as well, continuing to pursue a punitive approach to cannabis.

Several significant studies and reports throughout history have been disregarded or suppressed despite providing critical insights into cannabis and its effects. Here are some key examples:

 

1. LaGuardia Committee Report (1944)

- Commissioned by: New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia

- Findings: The report concluded that marijuana was not addictive, did not lead to the use of harder drugs, and posed no significant social danger. It suggested that cannabis should not be criminalized.

- Ignored by: The Federal Bureau of Narcotics and its head, Harry Anslinger, who continued to push for strict cannabis prohibition.

 

2. Shafer Commission Report (1972)

- Commissioned by: President Richard Nixon

- Findings: Officially known as the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, the Shafer Commission recommended the decriminalization of personal cannabis use, arguing that the existing laws were overly punitive and socially damaging.

- Ignored by: President Nixon, who continued to escalate the War on Drugs instead of implementing the commission's recommendations.

 

3. Medical College of Virginia Study (1974)

- Commissioned by: Under Nixon’s administration as part of the War on Drugs

- Findings: This study discovered that THC, a component of cannabis, could shrink tumors and effectively fight cancer cells.

- Ignored by: President Nixon, who classified the study to suppress its findings as it contradicted his anti-drug agenda.

 

4. The Nixon Tapes and the National Cancer Institute (1970s)

- Context: Recordings from Nixon’s administration reveal conversations where Nixon explicitly dismisses scientific evidence that contradicts his policies. For instance, he ignored recommendations to decriminalize cannabis despite supporting evidence from various studies.

• Ignored by: Nixon, who chose to perpetuate anti-cannabis rhetoric for political gain.

5. Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report (1982)

Commissioned by: National Academy of Sciences

Findings: The report highlighted the need for more research into the medical uses of marijuana and recommended the rescheduling of cannabis to facilitate scientific investigation.

Ignored by: Reagan administration policymakers, who maintained strict anti-cannabis policies and did not prioritize research into the potential medical benefits of marijuana.

6. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Research (1985)

Conducted by: National Institute on Dru Abuse

• Findings: NIDA-funded research suggested that cannabinoids found in marijuana had potential therapeutic effects, particularly in treating nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.

• Ignored by: Reagan administration officials, who continued to promote the War on Drugs and opposed efforts to explore the medical benefits of cannabis.

 

7. 1988 DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis Young’s Ruling

- Commissioned by: This was a result of a lawsuit against the DEA.

- Findings: Administrative Law Judge Francis Young concluded that “Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man,” recommending the reclassification of marijuana to allow medical use.

- Ignored by: The DEA, which chose not to follow the judge’s recommendation and maintained cannabis as a Schedule I substance.

 

8. Institute of Medicine Report (1999)

- Commissioned by: The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

- Findings: This comprehensive review acknowledged the potential medical benefits of cannabis and called for more research into its therapeutic uses.

• Ignored by: Federal policymakers, who continued to restrict cannabis research and maintain its Schedule I classification.

 

9. World Health Organization (WHO) Recommendations (2019)

Commissioned by: World Health Organization

Findings: WHO recommended that cannabis and its derivatives be rescheduled internationally due to its potential medical benefits and lower risk profile compared to other Schedule I substances.

Ignored by: The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which has been slow to implement these recommendations fully.

10. American Medical Association (AMA) Recommendation (2009)

Commissioned by: American Medical Association

Findings: The AMA recommended that marijuana be removed from Schedule I to facilitate clinical research and develop cannabinoid-based medicines.

Ignored by: The DEA and federal government, which did not change the scheduling despite the AMA’s recommendation.

These examples illustrate a pattern of the government disregarding or suppressing research that contradicts its drug policy, especially concerning cannabis. This has had long-term implications for public health, criminal justice, and the potential medical benefits of cannabis.

Quotes from the Cannabis Community:

Ricardo Pereyda, a 32-year-old veteran advocate who’s been at the forefront of fighting for marijuana access for veterans, has observed a significant shift in the political landscape in recent years. “What’s different about this scenario is the amount of elected officials coming out and saying, ‘This is bullshit. This is fuckin’ hurting people,'” he notes, highlighting that numerous politicians are openly criticizing the current laws and acknowledging the harm they cause. “That swing is really encouraging," he adds.

• NORML has emphasized in a memorandum that federal marijuana prohibition can only be repealed by descheduling, not rescheduling, cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act. The cannabis plant should be removed from the Controlled Substances Act altogether, thereby providing state governments - rather than the federal government - the ability to regulate marijuana in the manner they see fit without violating federal law, and allowing the federal government to provide standards and guidelines for regulated cannabis markets.

• Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, emphasized the significance of this move, stating, "It is significant for these federal agencies, and the DEA and FDA in particular, to acknowledge publicly for the first time what many patients and advocates have known for decades: that cannabis is a safe and effective therapeutic agent for tens of millions of Americans." Armentano further emphasized, "The cannabis plant should be removed from the Controlled Substances Act altogether, thereby providing state governments - rather than the federal government - the ability to regulate marijuana in the manner they see fit without violating federal law, and allowing the federal government to provide standards and guidelines for regulated cannabis markets."

• Anthony V. Minniti, RPh FACA, as referenced by @beardbrospharms, highlights the potential negative impacts of rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III. This move could severely restrict access and jeopardize the livelihoods of small businesses and equity license holders.

• Cannabis is legalized nationwide in four countries: Germany, Canada, Thailand, and Uruguay, demonstrating a global shift towards progressive cannabis policies. We must De-schedule Cannabis @Cannabis.Connoisseur.007

• Honeysuckle Magazine has reported potential problems arising from this shift. Industry stakeholders have expressed a "full spectrum" of reactions from optimism to disappointment and frustration, highlighting questions regarding accessibility, benefits to businesses, and implications for product categories.

 

• @cannabisfreedompac, represented by @jimmymac9xx, @williams, and @kyle_turley_official, celebrates today's rescheduling as a pivotal moment in the fight for patient access. As @williams aptly puts it, "Rescheduling cannabis is a step towards justice." Let's continue pushing for full descheduling and equitable access for all.

• "Join us in being a collective voice of change for cannabis reform! Whether you're a business owner or not, if you support minority entrepreneurship and the decriminalization of cannabis. Even if your state has not yet legalized, we still need your support. This industry needs to be more reflective of all walks of life to include those disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs!" - MCBA

• @statsobers remarked, "We asked for a deschedule versus reschedule. Making it Schedule II doesn't help at all."

• "Descheduling is the ultimate goal but this is a major step forward. Thanks to all the activists for their decades of dedication getting to here today." Tim Blake, Emerald Cup Founder

It's time to act. Share this information, support cannabis research, and demand transparency. We need to deschedule cannabis and unlock its full potential for healing.

Taking Action: How You Can Make a Difference

 

Get Informed and Spread Awareness

1. Educate Yourself: Understanding the history and current status of cannabis legalization is crucial. Familiarize yourself with key reports like the Shafer Commission, the LaGuardia Report, and other significant studies.

2. Share Information: Use social media platforms, blogs, and community meetings to share accurate information about the benefits of descheduling cannabis and the ongoing efforts to achieve it.

 

Create Your Own Local Organization

1. Gather Supporters: Start by connecting with like-minded individuals in your community who are passionate about cannabis reform.

2. Organize Meetings: Hold regular meetings to discuss strategies, share updates, and plan events. Use these gatherings to educate your community about the differences between rescheduling and descheduling.

3. Develop a Mission Statement: Clearly define the goals and objectives of your organization. This will help unify your efforts and provide a clear direction.

4. Utilize Social Media: Create social media pages for your organization to spread the word, share updates, and mobilize supporters. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit are great for reaching a wide audience.

5. Engage with Local Media: Reach out to local newspapers, radio stations, and news channels to gain media coverage for your cause. Share your mission and the importance of descheduling cannabis.

6. Organize Events: Host informational sessions, rallies, and signature drives to gather support for the petition. Use these events to educate the public and collect signatures.

7. Print QR Codes and Posters: Create posters with QR codes that link directly to the petition Change.org/deschedule. Distribute these posters in high-traffic areas, local businesses, and community centers.

8. Street Team and Guerilla Marketing: Form a street team to distribute flyers, posters, and educational materials. Use guerilla marketing tactics to creatively spread the message and draw attention to your cause.

 

Engage with the 60-Day Public Comment Period

1. Submit Your Comments: During the 60-day public comment period, make sure to submit your comments and encourage others to do the same. Share personal stories, facts, and reasons why descheduling is essential.

2. Mobilize Your Network: Rally your friends, family, and community members to participate in the public comment period. The more voices heard, the greater the impact.

 

Collaborate with Influencers and Larger Organizations

1. Reach Out to Influencers: Contact cannabis influencers, celebrities, and public figures to share the petition and information about the importance of descheduling.

2. Partner with Advocacy Groups: Collaborate with established cannabis advocacy groups to strengthen your efforts and amplify your message.

 

Stay Persistent and Passionate

1. Stay Engaged: Continue to follow updates on cannabis legislation and remain active in your advocacy efforts.

2. Encourage Others: Motivate others to stay informed and involved. A collective effort is crucial for achieving meaningful change.

 

By taking these steps, you can play a significant role in the movement to deschedule cannabis and push for a fairer, more just approach to cannabis regulation. Together, we can make a difference!

This petition is certified by the people and is the real petition of the people. Search Deschedule Cannabis and it is the 3rd to show up when you search on Change.org 

We have no hidden agenda or work with any conglomerates who pretend to care about the cause but never support the movement or make just 1 post about it because they don't want to mess up their branding.

Lawmakers:

U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.). Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and their colleagues, including Reps. Blumenauer and Barbara Lee, D-Calif., 

 

Link for the DEA scheduling Commenting Period below:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/21/2024-11137/schedules-of-controlled-substances-rescheduling-of-marijuana