Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) released the following statement on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) expected decision to remove the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) monopoly on the production of marijuana for medical research.
“I welcome the decision to lessen barriers to medical marijuana research. More than half the states—and counting—have legalized some form of medical marijuana. It’s outrageous that federal policy has blocked science for so long.
“However, this decision doesn’t go far enough and is further evidence that the DEA doesn’t get it. Keeping marijuana at Schedule I continues an outdated, failed approach—leaving patients and marijuana businesses trapped between state and federal laws. This decision does not address other key concerns like the need for banking services and tax equity for small businesses, operating legally in half the states. It’s not right or fair.
“Americans have spoken, with a majority supporting full legalization. It’s not enough to remove some barriers to medical research. Marijuana shouldn’t be listed as Schedule I; it shouldn’t be listed at all. It is imperative, as part of the most progressive Administration on marijuana in history, that the DEA work to end the failed prohibition of marijuana.”
