Reverse Emergency Schedule Cannabis?
I don't know if this question has been asked before, but I U'dTFSE and didn't see anything. Also, I am substantially high (not a valid excuse, I know) so this might sound really stupid, but it is simply a question I thought of. Bear with me here.
I am sure most of you are aware of the DEA's ability to place substances under "emergency scheduling".
If not, here it is:
"The Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-473), which was signed into law
on October 12, 1984, amended section 201 of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C.
811) to give the Attorney General the authority to temporarily place a substance into
Schedule I of the CSA for one year without regard to the requirements of 21 U.S.C. 811(b)
if he finds that such action is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public
safety. The Attorney General may extend the temporary scheduling up to 6 months. A
substance may be temporarily scheduled under the emergency provisions of the CSA if that
substance is not listed in any other schedule under section 202 of the CSA (21 U.S.C.
812) or if there is no exemption or approval in effect under 21 U.S.C. 355 for the
substance. The Attorney General has delegated his authority under 21 U.S.C. 811 to the
Deputy Administrator of DEA (28 CFR 0.100)."
Anyway, I know it would never happen, but what if they did a reverse emergency scheduling on cannabis? It would be a nice way of taking it a step further towards actual legalization. Right now there are already certain areas of the country where cannabis use is pretty much accepted by law enforcement, and I'm sure many of you would agree that the acceptance/widespread use of marijuana hasn't had any significant sort of negative societal impact in those regions. What would life be like if the government stepped up and put a 1-year legality clause on possession/cultivation/consumption/etc. of marijuana? Would America turn into a country of pot-head addicts feenin' for the Devil's lettuce? Would it "corrupt the youth" and tear apart families? Would hell freeze over?
I just wonder because personally I don't think life would be that much different. I don't think it would have much a negative effect at all. Sure, maybe people would be flaunting it in public a little too much initially and some overzealous stoners would definitely go overboard in the beginning, but that's to be expected. In the Netherlands there isn't a weed problem. Why can't we take a little test-run at that policy here in the States? A 1 year chance to see how America would fare with legal weed.
Just a thought.
