Author: Jerry Cox

Family Council Urges DOJ Not to Reclassify Marijuana

On Wednesday Family Council submitted a formal comment urging the U.S. Department of Justice not to reclassify marijuana.

In May the Biden Administration’s Justice Department announced plans to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug — putting it in the same category as anabolic steroids or Tylenol with Codeine.

The rule change would not legalize marijuana outright, but it could create more confusion about marijuana’s legal status and make it much easier for people to grow and use marijuana.

This proposed rule change comes despite growing evidence of marijuana’s serious — and permanent — impact on physical and mental health.

A body of scientific research reveals that marijuana is harmful — especially for teens and young adults. 

Nationwide, since 2019, the number of kids diagnosed with cannabis-induced mental disorders, including schizophrenia and psychotic episodes, has increased by 50%.

And research has shown time and again that marijuana has a significant potential for dependence and abuse.

The federal government is accepting public comments on its proposal to redesignate marijuana as a Schedule III Controlled Substance. Below are some of the comments Family Council submitted on Wednesday.

Marijuana does not meet the basic criteria of a Schedule III controlled substance. The Controlled Substances Act requires Schedule III controlled substances to have an accepted medical use in the United States. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved marijuana for the treatment of any disease or condition.

Marijuana poses a high potential for abuse and dependence. A 2015 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found “nearly 3 of 10 marijuana users manifested a marijuana use disorder [abuse or dependence] in 2012-2013.” This, coupled with the fact that it currently has no accepted medical use in the United States, should prevent it from being classified as a Schedule III substance.

An emerging body of scientific research shows marijuana is a harmful, psychoactive substance. A 2024 study published in the journal Psychological Medicine estimates teens who use marijuana are at an 11 times higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder compared to teens who do not use marijuana. Studies closely link marijuana use with increased risk for depression and bipolar disorder and to higher rates of schizophrenia.

Transferring marijuana to schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act would signal that marijuana has an accepted medical use when it actually does not. It would ignore the potential for abuse and dependence among users. And it would risk contributing to psychotic disorders and mental illnesses in America. We ask that you not reschedule marijuana at this time.

You can click here to submit a comment concerning the proposal to reschedule marijuana.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Arkansas State Police Patrol “Drug Pipeline” on I-40

KLRT News in Little Rock recently reported how Arkansas State Police patrol a “drug pipeline” on Interstate 40.

The article notes Arkansas State Police seized more than 11,000 pounds of illegal drugs last year. Law enforcement say that illegal opioids, meth, and cocaine come from Mexico, but illicit marijuana actually comes from neighboring states:

“Oklahoma has legalized marijuana. They have opened the floodgates in the marijuana trade,” [Arkansas State Police Lt. Dennis] Overton said. “They have over 8,000 registered grows in Oklahoma alone. That’s a lot of marijuana so the only way to move that much product is on the black market.”

Family Council has written before about how authorities in Oklahoma describe illicit marijuana as a problem that “plagues” their state.

All of this underscores how time and again we have seen marijuana legalization fuel drug cartels and the black market instead of weakening them.

Oregon has been flooded by illegal marijuana operations controlled by organized crime and drug cartels. Some of these marijuana operations are tied to labor trafficking and violent crime.

Despite California’s decision to legalize marijuana, the state’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce seized nearly 32,000 pounds of illegal marijuana in the first three months of 2024.

Right now the group Arkansans for Patient Access is actively working to drastically expand marijuana in Arkansas.

If passed, the amendment would give free marijuana cards to immigrants and out-of-state residents who come to Arkansas to use marijuana.

The amendment would guarantee marijuana growers and sellers a monopoly over the state’s marijuana industry.

Marijuana users would no longer need to show they suffer from a specific medical condition listed in state law — making it easier to use marijuana recreationally.

The measure also fails to limit the amount of THC that marijuana products can contain, and it repeals restrictions on marijuana advertising.

All of this would lead to more marijuana in the state.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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