A coalition of 20 U.S. Democratic lawmakers sent a letter on Wednesday to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Department of Justice, calling for the prompt removal of marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and John Fetterman (D-Penn.), along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), the letter stressed the urgency of the matter, telling DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and Attorney General Merrick Garland that it's been eight months since the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended the DEA reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III a year-and-a-half since President Joe Biden ordered a review of marijuana's classification.

"It is time for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to act," the lawmakers wrote in the letter, which was first reported by Huffington Post.

"Though marijuana is widely used and, according to HHS, is associated with fewer adverse outcomes than alcohol, it remains in the most restrictive schedule of the CSA. This placement produces a cascade of severe penalties for marijuana users and businesses, including for criminal records, immigration statuses, employment, taxation, health care, public housing, social services, and more," the group wrote.

Issues With The DEA Notwithstanding…

While acknowledging the potential for internal disagreements within the DEA and the White House, the letter stresses the need for swift action.

"We urge you to promptly remove marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In recent months, we have sent you multiple letters explaining the importance of doing so," they continued.

Rescheduling Is Important, But Full Legalization Is Best

The letter cited previous correspondence reiterating that while reclassification to Schedule III would be a step forward, the ultimate solution lies in descheduling marijuana altogether.

"The longer marijuana remains scheduled in the CSA, the longer our communities face senselessly severe penalties and the longer the marijuana laws of the majority of U.S. states remain in conflict with federal law. Right now, the Administration has the opportunity to resolve more than 50 years of failed, racially discriminatory marijuana policy," the Democrats wrote.

In addition to praising Biden’s support for marijuana reform, the letter highlighted the significance of Second Chance Month as an opportunity to rectify the harms caused by marijuana’s scheduling.

"April 2024 — proclaimed "Second Chance Month" — is a prime opportunity to finally begin remedying the harms of marijuana's scheduling by removing marijuana from Schedule I," the 20 lawmakers said.

Photo: Benzinga edit with Billion Photos and Yarygin by Shutterstock