Biden Has a Plan on Weed (That Doesn't Involve Legalizing It)

[left-of-center2012]

Former Vice President Joe Biden is staking out a position to the political right of the 2020 field when it comes to marijuana policy. Biden would not legalize weed as president, but he called for expungement of all past convictions for pot use as part of a criminal justice reform plan released by his presidential campaign Tuesday.

Biden would support the decriminalization but not legalization of marijuana for recreational use. That keeps him out of step with every other top-tier Democratic presidential candidate, all of whom have called for the full federal legalization of the plant.

Biden would take marijuana off of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s most severe classification list, where it’s considered the same as heroin, LSD, MDMA and peyote as a substance with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

But while other campaigns have called for fully declassifying cannabis, Biden would make it a Schedule II drug, on par with cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, all of which the DEA considers “drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.” The upshot is that lowering marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II would allow the government to research it, according to a senior Biden campaign official, who briefed reporters on his plan.

https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/zmppna/joe-biden-doesnt-want-to-legalize-weed-but-he-doesnt-want-anyone-to-go-to-jail-for-it

[htuttle]

1. The federal government made itself kind of irrelevant on this question

Real question is: How would he direct the justice dept to act toward states that have already legalized?

[htuttle]

3. Just found the answer

I should have read the whole article before posting:

"Biden would support federal legalization of medicinal marijuana, but he'd leave decisions about recreational use to the states while more research is conducted."

I'm going to expect him to hold to that, if elected.

[customerserviceguy]

6. I've been hearing

the "we need more research on marijuana" thing ever since I first smoked it in the 1970's. It is just an excuse to delay the inevitable.

[htuttle]

8. Agreed

Hey, I worked for my local NORML group for much of a decade, and I'm stuck in a non-legal state with a Republican dominated Assembly. I'm as frustrated as anyone about it.

However, the only progress that has been made has been on the state level, and that's where it's likely to be made in the future.

edited to add:

Unless my currently favorite candidate is elected.

[BannonsLiver]

10. I research it every day.

[customerserviceguy]

13. Ha, good one!

We await your findings with baited breath! I guess we can take a Tic-Tac for that.

[Autumn]

11. The problem with that is that when federal law and state law conflict, the federal law trumps.

As it stands now marijuana store can not use banks which are federally regulated, marijuana businesses can not deduct their expenses on their federal income taxes. It's really a poor plan on his part. As for research much of what has been done is ignored

https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/marijuana-legalization-and-decriminalization-overview.html

[yaesu]

15. Correct & taking it off of the Drug Enforcement Administration's most severe

classification list is a good start but not sure it would clear the way for states struggling with Federal compliance issues.

[Autumn]

16. He wants to make it a Schedule II. Right up there with OxyContin and fentanyl.

[bluewater]

2. Woah woah woah....

Last edited Tue Jul 23, 2019, 07:37 PM - Edit history (2)

"But while other campaigns have called for fully declassifying cannabis, Biden would make it a Schedule II drug, on par with cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, all of which the DEA considers “drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.” "



What's the point of Biden doing THAT?!? It's time to legalize it.

[htuttle]

4. It allows research

Right now, as a Schedule I drug, it's nearly impossible to do any research on pot, especially when looking for grant funding.

[Autumn]

7. There is no point in doing it. Other than the fact that it is currently on Schedule I because it

now is accepted for medical use.

Schedule I

Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are:

heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote

Schedule II

Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous. Some examples of Schedule II drugs are:

Combination products with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin), cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Ritalin

[jmowreader]

26. Schedule II is still too high (pun not intended)

If it's got to be scheduled at all, put it in Schedule V, the Cough Syrup Schedule.

It should be treated the same as alcohol and tobacco, which also have high potentials for abuse and the potential of leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.

[qazplm135]

34. Yep

Don't understand any difference between it and alcohol. And I hate marijuana and alcohol for that matter but not a dimes bit of difference between them IMO.

[jmowreader]

39. There are a couple of significant differences between alcohol and cannabis

The most important is that alcohol creates a physical dependence (aka addiction or alcoholism) that cannabis doesn't do.

Alcohol is also more damaging to the body than cannabis, and alcohol can turn you violent in ways weed isn't able to.

Ask any cop and he'll tell you: it's a lot easier to deal with someone who's high on weed than someone who's drunk.

[qazplm135]

40. You can get addicted to weed as well

And it's not harmless.

But it's no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco so if those are legal then hard to justify making marijuana illegal.

[jberryhill]

5. Legalize possession for people who don't inhale

Good golly.

[zackymilly]

17. I promise. nt

[DesertRat]

25. Gummies only

[SouthernProgressive]

9. His criminal justice framework is excellent.

And it’s getting eyes on a great piece of legislation.

[4now]

12. What a stupid plan

What are we living in the 1960s?
He really needs to rethink this.

[Autumn]

14. Biden will never legalize it. He still believes it's a gateway drug.

[zackymilly]

18. He remembers the movie "Reefer Madness" nt

[Autumn]

19. Probably his favorite movie.

God I hadn't thought of that movie in decades

[zackymilly]

20. You can watch the entire movie on Youtube. nt

[Autumn]

21. I'm going to find it and send the link to my grand kids. I want them to see real propaganda

[Autumn]

23. Thanks for the trip. I found it, did a dab and now I'm watching it and laughing my head off.

&fbclid=IwAR2D6Omy8nq8FLlcCnIvIAPNBd0GSNJERVYMcIAgtTSBgpwieWjtCY4NKv4

[zackymilly]

24. I'm watching it too. I didn't know pot would turn you into a wild piano player. nt

[Autumn]

28. I had no idea it made you dance so weird.

[LuvNewcastle]

22. That's what is going to kill his candidacy.

He's stuck in the past. He needs to retire. Legalization should be part of the Democratic Party's platform. It's time to end this ignorance once and for all.

[Demsrule86]

32. Legalization won't come from the feds...I could care a less...and I expect it is not a voting issue.

Here in Ohio, you can get a prescription for it...

[Autumn]

33. Just make sure granny and gramps don't take their "prescription medicine" across state lines.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

36. Joe's stuck in a time warp... no way he gets the young vote with positions like these.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[dewsgirl]

27. He really needs to adjust his thinking on this.

[jalan48]

29. Out of step sums it up nicely.

[Autumn]

30. And out of touch with about 62% of Americans who favor the legalization of marijuana .

[jalan48]

31. I don't think he gets the Fascist push taking place in the country today.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

38. That's putting it mildly.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

35. An irrational position and, ultimately, an immoral one.

[aikoaiko]

37. Joe's position on weed is so disappointing.

I thought he would evolve a bit more.

Why stay consistent on this issue?

[Yeehah]

41. Oh fuck that. n/t

[Blue_true]

42. I would completely de-schedule it on the Federal level and allow

states to decide whether they want to legalize it. This is one issue that I am comfortable with states deciding.

On removing Pot convictions, the Federal government should do that.

[BootinUp]

43. Toeing the line. Nt

[dflprincess]

44. Oh Joe,

I have a 93 year old aunt with a more enlighted attitude toward it & she's never inhaled.

[4now]

45. The failed drug warrior tries to rally the troops for one more attack on fellow Americans

Because it is ok if certain people are harnessed and jailed as long as it furthers your career.
The drug war corrupts the whole justice system.
Shame on you Biden. How can you even begin to compare Marijuana to cocaine, Methamphetamine and fentanyl and put them in the same category.
I expect much more from a Democratic candidate in the 21st century.