Since our neighbor Canada officially legalized marijuana on October 17, 2018, plenty of cannabis aficionados in the United States have begun to wonder if our country is not too far behind. With recent events, you can easily see why they are hopeful. As of yesterday, Walmart is planning to distribute CBD-infused products across several stores as part of a consumer test. Meanwhile, California officials have announced plans to develop artisan marijuana in Humboldt and Mendocino counties. At the same time, Rhode Island (plus five more states) is beginning to approve medical-grade cannabis oil for children suffering from autism. Furthermore, from now to October 31, the Food and Drug Administration (DEA) wants to hear our comments on the matter. As of today, public opinions will help push our country towards nationwide legalization. Let’s take a closer look.
Complicated but Meaningful
Next month, a World Health Organization (WHO) will be convening in Geneva, Switzerland to debate about the potential harm and impact of national legalization of cannabis and other substances (including fentanyl). According to the FDA, public opinions will weigh heavily on this conference. As Leslie Kux (the FDA Associate Producer for Policy) explained, the comments will be utilized to generate a final response from the WHO to determine what restrictions should be placed on these drugs.
While technically and politically complex, this issue is extremely important for people who support the drug. Furthermore, this is a rare opportunity for the public to share opinions with the federal government and a chance to directly impact laws that control cannabis in the United States.
Reforming the Schedule
As part of global and domestic regulations, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I substance, the most restricted grouping for drugs. Any countries that have signed these regulations cannot (based on political theories) legalize cannabis.
However, international groups are considering the benefits of reform concerning marijuana. Earlier in the year, the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (EDD) ruled that cannabidiol (CBD) should not fall under the Schedule I category, as the studies have confirmed that this substance is not harmful to humans.
Always remember that marijuana does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance abuse disorder or addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug addiction and substance abuse troubles today.
