Nate

Cannabis to Schedule 3: Small Win, Big Impact Let me be clear, I'm for full Federal legalisation of cannabis. But that takes an act of Congress and we know how slow they act. For me, the best way forward is with small, incremental wins, until the Federal government has no choice but to act. In the meantime, while these incremental steps may seem small to some, they can have a big impact and they move the ball forward. We have to keep pushing. Why Schedule 3? The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is a federal law, and moving cannabis to Schedule 3 follows its strict process. HHS reviewed the science and recommended S3, then DEA has to finalize it. Skipping this risks chaos. Why not S5 or descheduling? HHS didn’t recommend those based on evidence. Forcing DEA to ignore HHS and pick another category (or remove it) violates the CSA, triggers lawsuits, and stalls progress—HHS would have to restart the whole review. Can Trump just legalize it? No. Presidents can’t change the CSA with an executive order—it’s a law made by Congress. Only Congress can legalize or deschedule cannabis fully. Trump overriding HHS/DEA would break the law and get sued fast. Consequences of not following CSA? If DEA ignores HHS’s S3 recommendation, it’s illegal under the CSA. Lawsuits would pile up, delaying everything. The process would grind to a halt. Does S3 make cannabis legal? No, it’s still controlled, but less strict than S1. It’d help research, taxes, and banking for cannabis businesses—not full legalization, but a big step. Big Pharma takeover? S3 doesn’t hand cannabis to Big Pharma. It opens research and production, but states and small businesses already in the game can still compete. Pharma’s not guaranteed a monopoly—market rules still apply. Stuck in S3 forever? Not necessarily. S3 is a step, not a lock. Future science or Congressional action can push further. It’s not a dead end; it’s momentum. Why not push for more? Congress could deschedule or legalize, but they’ve sat on the SAFE Banking Act for years—showing how slow they are. S3 is incremental, but it’s progress and the fastest win we can hope for now. Small steps stack up until the feds have to act. Why S3 is best now: It’s based on science (HHS), follows the CSA, avoids legal messes, and moves us forward without waiting years for Congress. We need these incremental wins to build pressure for bigger change. Here are some of the impacts of moving cannabis to S3 Research Boost: S3 drugs have “accepted medical use” and lower restrictions than S1. Scientists could study cannabis more easily—fewer hoops, more funding—unlocking new medical insights and evidence to push for further reform. Tax Relief for Businesses: Cannabis companies currently can’t deduct normal business expenses (like rent or payroll) under IRS Code 280E because it’s S1. S3 removes that, letting legal state businesses keep more money and grow. Banking Access: Banks avoid cannabis businesses now due to S1’s federal illegality. S3 reduces the risk, so more banks might offer loans, accounts, and credit, stabilizing the industry and cutting reliance on cash. State Programs Stay Intact: S3 doesn’t disrupt state legalization (recreational or medical). States keep running their systems, but businesses get federal breathing room on taxes and banking. Shift in Perception: Dropping from S1 (heroin-level) to S3 (like ketamine) signals cannabis isn’t a top-tier threat. It’s a cultural and legal nudge toward broader acceptance, piling pressure on Congress.

Building 7 didn't kill itself