The DEA’s decision to move marijuana to Schedule III has garnered widespread and bipartisan praise among congressional lawmakers, with some promising to continue fighting for marijuana to be fully descheduled.
“After decades of the federal government being dug in on prohibition, moving cannabis to Schedule III would be a huge shift in policy and signal to the American people that the days of reefer madness are coming to an end,” said Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who Chairs the Senate Finance Committee. “Medical research will open up and legal small businesses will no longer be treated unjustly like criminals under the inequitable 280E tax provision—a provision I’ve been working for years to repeal.”
Wyden continues by saying “I’m not going to let today’s news slow this movement down, because there’s more to be done to rectify the harms of the failed War on Drugs. “Cannabis should ultimately be descheduled with strong federal regulations put in place to protect public health and safety. Leader Schumer, Senator Booker and I have just the bill to do it.”
In a public statement Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA) said “This is a step in the right direction. But to be clear: cannabis must be fully descheduled in order to end the War on Drugs and repair harm to communities of color. This move is progress for businesses, but we can’t let it undermine comprehensive reform.”
Republican Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Brian Mast (R-FL) released a joint statement saying “Today’s decision breaks a nearly 80-year stalemate in regards to cannabis, opening the door for it to be used for medicinal and research purposes. Rescheduling means cannabis will be an option for veterans and adults living with chronic diseases, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and opioid use disorder. This is an important step, but more needs to be done.”
Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the DEA’s decision “great news” and “a historic step in the right direction”.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said “For the first time under POTUS Biden, the government will no longer treat marijuana the same as heroin. It’s a big deal. I fought hard for this common sense and historic step. We need to fully legalize marijuana and begin to repair the harms of an unjust war on drugs.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said “I’m grateful that the DEA is moving to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a move I’ve been pushing for years. But our work doesn’t stop here. Marijuana must be completely descheduled and legalized.”
Senator John Hickenlooper gave similar remarks, saying “Rescheduling marijuana is a step in the right direction. But – just a step. Marijuana should be DEscheduled altogether.”
Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) said “Marijuana is not as dangerous as heroin. There is no reason for them to be in the same class of controlled substances. We should celebrate the fact we’re finally changing course from the failed, racist legacy of the War on Drugs.”
Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) said “This is very welcome news — and good policy. Michigan legalized cannabis in 2018, and I’m excited to see this important step taken towards nationwide legalization.”
Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) said “The federal government shouldn’t be restricting the freedoms of responsible adults. I’m glad to see the @DEAHQ taking a step into the 21st century and classifying marijuana more appropriately. Let’s finish the job and legalize it under federal law.”
Meanwhile, Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said “Let’s keep this momentum going. We must decriminalize marijuana once and for all and fix the harm caused by 50 years of failed drug policies. I’m grateful that @POTUS is working to ensure we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.”
Representative David Trone (D-MD) said “This policy change marks an important step in the right direction toward enacting true criminal justice reform. Marijuana criminalization has disproportionately impacted our most marginalized communities for decades, and reclassification was long overdue.”
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) said “Great news! Nevada has been successfully regulating cannabis since 2017, and it’s time federal regulations catch up with the times. There’s more work to do in Congress and I’ll keep fighting to pass commonsense national cannabis reform.”
