Removing Marijuana from the Schedule of Controlled Substances

The current system for classifying illegal (and most legal) drugs is flawed, outdated and unscientific. Established by the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970, the Schedule of Controlled Substances erroneously places marijuana in the most restrictive class, Schedule I, reserved for drugs with a “high potential for abuse,” “no currently accepted medical use” and a “lack of accepted safety.”

Marijuana should be removed from the Schedule of Controlled Substances because it has limited potential for abuse, established medical uses, and is safe relative to other substances. De-scheduling marijuana will facilitate medical research, ensure patient access, and remove federal prohibitions.