Veterans' Letter To President Biden Seeks Swift Marijuana Rescheduling And Federal Legalization

In a compelling move for cannabis reform, a coalition of military veterans organizations is asking President Biden to hasten the ongoing administrative review on marijuana scheduling.

These groups, including prominent entities like Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, have extended their support for Biden's decision to initiate this review, reported  Marijuana Moment. This pivotal step has prompted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to propose reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

See Also: 'It Could Hit You A Couple Years Later' Says Vet On PTSD As USF Prepares Cannabis Clinical Trial

What Does The Letter Say?

The letter from the coalition underlines this move as a significant chance for the nation to "lead with science over fear, and begin righting the wrongs of prohibition." They laud the administration and HHS for their groundbreaking actions, setting the stage for vital future endeavors. This includes urging the DEA to promptly accept the scientific and medical recommendations, despite the DEA not being legally bound to the Schedule III rescheduling advice, even with HHS’s scientific findings.

The coalition's focus is on the vital need for these reforms to benefit veterans. They stress the importance of safe access and research, sharing how cannabis has assisted veterans in transitioning from certain pharmaceuticals and alleviating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The letter also addresses the limitations imposed by the stigma and federal restrictions on cannabis usage.

See Also: Veterans Could Soon Receive Medical Marijuana Recommendations From VA Doctors: Senate Approves New Bill - What's Next?

Further, the groups call on the administration to acknowledge the wider advantages of federally legalizing marijuana, which would tackle military recruitment issues related to cannabis and harmonize state and military policy discrepancies. Reclassifying cannabis is seen as a fundamental initial step toward altering the national understanding of a plant vital for many veterans dealing with chronic pain and other significant service-related health issues.

See also: Study: US Military Veterans Achieve Higher Quality Of Life With Medical Marijuana

The letter makes two specific appeals to President Biden:

• To guarantee the swift completion of the scheduling review and
• To ensure that Congress capitalizes on this historic progression, prioritizing the needs of veterans.

Signatories of the letter, including Hemp for Victory, Balanced Veterans Network (BVN), Realm of Caring, Hero Grown, Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, and Texas Veterans for Medical Cannabis, express gratitude towards the President for initiating this significant process and hope for his continued support in advancing safe access, scientific research, and an improved future for veterans communities.

Read full story at Marijuana Moment.

Image by El Planteo