Former Attorney General William Barr has criticized the Biden administration’s proposal to federally reschedule marijuana, calling it “grossly irresponsible” and “ignoring legal standards and scientific evidence.” Barr, who served as Attorney General under President Donald Trump, argues that the administration is trying to score political points ahead of the November election by bypassing the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and sidestepping established standards for scheduling drugs.
In an op-ed published on Fox News, Barr claims that marijuana meets the criteria for Schedule I classification, citing its high abuse potential and negative effects on mental and physical health. He also argues that the administration is ignoring the fact that marijuana has no approved medical use, and that the country would be subsidizing the marijuana industry if it is moved to Schedule III.
Barr’s criticism comes despite Trump’s recent comments supporting a cannabis legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot. Trump has also expressed support for medical marijuana, saying it has been “absolutely amazing” for patients.
The Biden administration’s proposal to reschedule marijuana has been met with opposition from some conservative lawmakers and prohibitionist groups, who argue that it would increase access to a “gateway drug” and undermine efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. However, many advocates argue that rescheduling marijuana would be a step towards reducing the country’s drug-related problems and promoting public health.
Recent studies have shown that states that have legalized marijuana have seen decreases in traffic fatalities, and that the drug is no more dangerous than alcohol. However, Barr argues that marijuana use carries “wide-ranging negative effects on mental and physical health,” and that it is a “gateway drug” that can lead to the use of harder drugs.
The debate over marijuana rescheduling is likely to continue in the coming months, as the Biden administration’s proposal is reviewed by the DEA and other federal agencies.
