DESCHEDULE NOT RESCHEDULE:

TALKING POINTS

Legal Framework and Social Justice

Jury Nullification:

Jurors can acquit a defendant if they believe the law is unjust, even if the law is technically broken. In cannabis cases, this means jurors can vote "not guilty" and walk out if they disagree. This tool was used during alcohol prohibition to challenge unjust laws and can similarly push for reform against cannabis prohibition today.

Prohibition's Ineffectiveness:

The prohibition of cannabis has not eliminated its use; instead, it has led to criminalization, incarceration, and social injustices, particularly among marginalized communities.

Education and Responsible Use

Similar to the focus on educating the public about responsible alcohol consumption instead of imposing criminal penalties, cannabis policy can mirror this approach. Promoting safe use through education and awareness campaigns can serve as an effective exit strategy for individuals seeking healthier alternatives.

Regulated Products:

Alcohol and cigarettes are heavily regulated substances, with strict age restrictions, warning labels, and advertising limitations. These regulations inform consumers about the risks associated with their use. Cannabis, with its significantly lower health risks, should also be subject to similar regulations to ensure consumer safety.

Public Support and Sentiment

Shifting Public Opinion:

Just as public opinion turned against alcohol prohibition, many Americans now support cannabis legalization and descheduling. Polls indicate a majority favor ending the federal prohibition on cannabis, reflecting a significant shift in societal attitudes.

Economic Opportunities

Tax Revenue Potential:

Legalizing and regulating cannabis can generate significant tax revenue, as seen in states like Colorado, which collected over $400 million in cannabis taxes in 2021. This revenue can be directed towards education, healthcare, and public safety initiatives.

Job Creation:

The cannabis industry has the potential to create numerous jobs in cultivation, distribution, retail, and ancillary services. Ending prohibition can stimulate economic growth and provide valuable employment opportunities.

Public Health and Safety

Cannabis as an Exit Strategy:

Cannabis can serve as an effective harm reduction strategy for individuals seeking alternatives to more dangerous substances, including alcohol and opioids. Legal access to cannabis provides a safer exit strategy for those looking to move away from addictive and harmful substances.

Health Risks of Tobacco and Alcohol:

Tobacco:

Responsible for over 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S., tobacco is one of the leading preventable causes of death. It is associated with various cancers, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular issues.

Alcohol:

Known to cause addiction and a wide range of health problems, alcohol consumption contributes significantly to public health concerns.

Cannabis:

There are no documented deaths from cannabis overdose, highlighting its relative safety compared to tobacco and alcohol. When used responsibly, cannabis does not carry the same level of lethal health risks.

Addiction Rates

Addictiveness of Nicotine vs. Cannabis:

Nicotine, the addictive component of cigarettes, leads to a high dependency rate, with approximately 30% of smokers becoming addicted. In contrast, studies suggest that only 9-10% of cannabis users may develop a dependency, indicating a lower risk compared to nicotine.

International Movement and Policy Reform

Global Trends:

Many countries are moving toward cannabis legalization, recognizing its potential benefits for public health and safety. The U.S. can follow suit, setting a precedent for responsible policy reform on a global scale.

Historical Reports

Nixon Tapes:

Evidence from the Nixon Tapes indicates that cannabis prohibition was influenced by racial and political motivations.

Shafer Commission:

Appointed by President Nixon in 1972, the Shafer Commission recommended decriminalizing cannabis after extensive research revealed its relatively low risks compared to other substances.

LaGuardia Report:

The LaGuardia Report of 1944 found no evidence that cannabis caused social harm or significant health issues.

Judge Francis Young’s Ruling:

In a 1988 ruling, Judge Young highlighted cannabis as one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to mankind, underscoring the need for reevaluation of its legal status. Quoted from Judge Francis Young, “In conclusion, it is my opinion that the evidence is clear and convincing that marijuana is not a dangerous drug. It is, in fact, one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.”

Regulatory Concerns

Big Pharma’s Agenda vs. Community Empowerment:

Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III poses a significant risk by placing Big Pharma in a financially dominant position. This could lead to increased funding for the DEA to target home growers, craft farmers, and traditional markets, perpetuating the cycle of cannabis prisoners.

Big Pharma does not want community-driven initiatives like SB 1111 or SB 2210; they want control over cannabis, ensuring that individuals remain reliant on pharmaceutical solutions. The fight for descheduling is essential to protect our families, friends, and allies from DEA-funded raids and the

For decades, they’ve demonized cannabis to protect their profits, pushing addictive pharmaceuticals while criminalizing a safer, natural alternative. They promote harmful substances like nicotine, alcohol, and opioids—despite their well-documented risks—while cannabis, with proven medical benefits, remains stigmatized.

It’s clear: they profit from addiction while using incarceration and violence to maintain control.

Now, there’s a push to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III, which would place it directly in the hands of Big Pharma and the federal government. This rescheduling will create chaos and turmoil through monopolization and greed, further entrenching corporate interests over public health.

Here’s why we advocate for descheduling, not rescheduling instead:

• Big Pharma Monopoly: Rescheduling allows them to profit from cannabis while controlling access and treatment options, perpetuating their hold on the market after decades of lobbying against cannabis. They profit from synthetic alternatives while blocking access to affordable, natural medicine 

• Federal Control Over Personal Freedom: They use the legal system to incarcerate us, enforce harsh penalties, and block patients from growing their own medicine.

• Alcohol and Opioids: Alcohol, a legal yet addictive substance with no recognized medical value, drives millions into addiction treatment programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and is linked to serious health issues such as liver disease, heart problems, and various cancers. In contrast, cannabis has demonstrated potential as a safer exit strategy for individuals struggling with substance abuse, helping to reduce dependency on both alcohol and opioids. Meanwhile, Big Pharma aggressively promotes opioids, which are associated with addiction, overdose, and the ongoing fentanyl epidemic, all while the federal government shows little concern for the lives affected by this crisis. This underscores the urgent need for alternative solutions like cannabis, which can provide relief and support recovery without the severe health risks linked to alcohol and opioids.

• Nicotine: regarded as one of the most addictive substances known to man, can lead to dependency after just a few uses and is comparable in addictive potential to drugs like cocaine and heroin; yet it has no medicinal value and is not included in the Controlled Substances Act. In contrast, cannabis, which is far less addictive and boasts a wide range of recognized therapeutic/medicinal benefits, remains unjustly classified as a Schedule I drug alongside heroin, while substances like alcohol and nicotine are not regulated by the Controlled Substances Act.

• Unjust Criminalization: Despite the harm caused by substances like nicotine, alcohol, and opioids, people are still facing criminal penalties for cannabis, disrupting lives and communities. 

Descheduling cannabis is about more than just access—it’s about preventing monopolization and ensuring safer, natural alternatives in an addiction crisis fueled by corporate greed. Let’s make laws based on science, not stigma, and stop the push for rescheduling that only serves to benefit a select few.

In a major shift, the Senate Intelligence Committee approved the Intelligence Authorization Act, allowing individuals with prior cannabis use to apply for security clearances with federal intelligence agencies such as the CIA, NSA, FBI, TSA, and others. This move reflects growing support for cannabis, signaling that the government is rethinking its stance on cannabis use, further strengthening efforts to remove it from the Controlled Substances Act.

THIS YEAR KURTIS HANNA UNCOVERED AUDIO TAPES OF PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON ACKNOWLEDING MARIJUANA WAS "NOT ADDICTIVE AND DANGEROUS"