Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global Issues, Issue: Cannabis Legal Status.
Context:
US President Donald Trump reclassified marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), 1970, marking the biggest federal cannabis policy shift and partially aligning with US state-level legalisation trends.
Key Takeaways:
What is Cannabis?
- Cannabis is a psychoactive plant.
- Main active compounds:
- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) – psychoactive
- CBD (Cannabidiol) – non-intoxicating, medicinal
- Common forms: Marijuana (leaves/flowers), Hashish (resin) and Hemp (low THC variety)
- Uses: Medical (pain relief, epilepsy, PTSD), Recreational and Industrial (hemp fibre)
Key Facts:
The War on Drugs and Cannabis Prohibition:
- The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 categorized drugs into five schedules based on their perceived danger.
- Cannabis was placed in Schedule I, alongside heroin and LSD, indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
- In 2016, the Department of Justice (DoJ) reported that approximately 456,000 individuals, representing one-fifth of the incarcerated population in the US, were serving time for drug-related offenses.
- Schedule I drugs: No accepted medical use, high abuse potential (e.g., heroin).
- Schedule III drugs: Moderate abuse potential, accepted medical use (e.g., ketamine).
- Cannabis was placed in Schedule I in 1970, intensifying the US “War on Drugs”.
- As of 2024: 24 US states legalised recreational cannabis and 48 states + DC allow medical use
Federal prohibition led to: Mass incarceration, Racial disparities in drug arrests and Limited medical research on cannabis
Global & Comparative Perspective:
- Canada fully legalised recreational cannabis (2018).
- UN has downgraded cannabis under international drug conventions.
- Reflects global shift from criminalisation to regulation.
Trump’s move to reclassify cannabis marks a turning point in US drug policy, weakening the legacy of the War on Drugs and advancing evidence-based, equity-focused governance though full legalisation remains unfinished.
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