U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
What s In The Marijuana Data Collection Act?
The bill would assess both medical and recreational cannabis programs and their economic, public health, criminal justice and workplace effects.
The study would also look at revenue streams generated by legal marijuana markets, how the revenue is used and how it impacts state budgets.
Aside from financial metrics, the study would look at consumption among population groups, medicinal usage and the impact of cannabis on the opioid crisis.
Sponsors are seeking a 10-year partnership with the National Academy of Sciences and prominent government officials and agencies, including the secretary of health and human services, Attorney General, secretary of labor and other relevant state and health agencies.
NORML
Last week, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki reiterated the President’s position that cannabis should be rescheduled under federal law to Schedule II rather than descheduled from the Controlled Substances Act.
What does this mean? As our Executive Director Erik Altieri said last week: Rescheduling of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act would continue to make the federal government the primary dictator of cannabis policy and would do little if anything to address its criminal status under federal law. Under such a policy, the majority of states that have legalized cannabis for either medical or adult-use purposes would continue to remain in conflict with federal law.
Schumer Says It’s Time To End Federal Cannabis Prohibition
arrow Dried hemp plants at Hepworth Farms Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock
Imagine a scenario in which any state that wanted to sell orange juice had to ensure all oranges were grown and juiced within state lines.
“You would be able to give it away for next to nothing in Florida, but it would be next to gold in Massachusetts,” suggested Justin Strekal, political director for NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
It may sound bizarre, but this is a fitting analogy for cannabis in the U.S., where the plant still can’t be shipped across state borders. It’s just one of many idiosyncrasies that come with marijuana remaining in the same category as heroin under federal law. Those buds meanwhile are already legalized for adult use in 17 states and Washington, D.C.
Birmingham now pardons marijuana offenders, but so far just nine people forgiven al.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from al.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.