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The ONDCP Director Speaks Out on the Ongoing Discussion of Rescheduling Cannabis
Dr. Rahul Gupta, also known as President Joe Biden’s appointed “drug czar,” recently sat down for an interview with Star Tribune on May 24. The discussion revolved around the federal rescheduling of cannabis, a hot topic in the world of drug policy.
When asked about his main takeaway on the issue, Gupta didn’t hold back. “For over half a century, our failed approach to marijuana has ruined countless lives,” he stated. “We’ve seen disproportionate arrests, prosecutions, and incarcerations of Black and brown individuals, despite similar usage rates among all races.”
Gupta then referenced Biden’s announcement in October 2022 to pursue pardoning cannabis offenses and review the current schedule category of cannabis. With the recent actions taken by the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services, Gupta emphasized the importance of what comes next.
“This decision has the potential to remove barriers to critical research and even lead to new developments in the medical field,” he explained. “It’s a historic moment that will have a lasting impact.”
When asked about the potential changes in federal law enforcement’s approach to cannabis, Gupta pointed to other substances in the Schedule III classification, such as Tylenol with codeine and testosterone, which have lower priority. He also highlighted the impact on racial disparities and the importance of access to treatment for all Americans.
It’s crucial to understand the difference between rescheduling cannabis and federally legalizing it. While rescheduling may reduce the severity of penalties, it does not guarantee protection from prosecution. And until cannabis is no longer considered a federally illegal substance, incarcerations and prosecutions will continue.
In a separate interview with WGCU, Gupta clarified that Schedule I substances have no approved medical use, while those in Schedule II-V can be prescribed by licensed providers with a DEA registration. However, the FDA has only approved a few exceptions of drugs derived from cannabis, not cannabis itself.
The topic then shifted to banking, but Gupta preferred to defer to those more directly involved. It’s clear that the discussion of rescheduling cannabis is far from over, and the ONDCP director is at the forefront of the conversation.
