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Media and Politicians Call Out Obama Over Marijuana Rescheduling

In his now famous interview with Jake Tapper last week, President Obama, while expressing sympathy for some marijuana reforms, told Tapper that the White House can't move marijuana to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to allow medical use, only Congress could:

OBAMA:[W]hat is and isn't a Schedule One narcotic is a job for Congress. It's not...
 

TAPPER: I think it's the DEA that decides...

OBAMA: It's - it's not - it's not something by ourselves that we start changing. No, there are laws under - undergirding those determinations...

As Tapper remarked, the president in fact can reschedule marijuana administratively, without an action of Congress. The DEA chief administrators for decades have declined to do so -- after DEA's own administrative law judges ruled that they should, the first one back in the '80s -- but Attorney General Holder could overrule them, and so could President Obama. On State of the Union with Candy Crowley last Sunday, CNN pushed back on the claim again, with Crowley pointing out the president's error after playing a clip from the interview.

Now members of Congress have joined in. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) says that Obama could reschedule marijuana for medical use in a "a matter of days," according to US News & World Report:

"I don't dispute that Congress could and should make the change, but it's also something the administration could do in a matter of days and I hope they will consider it," says Blumenauer, who is currently circulating a letter among colleagues asking Obama to do so. Eight members of Congress have signed the letter so far.
 

Has Obama heard this? By now I'd imagine so.

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You obviously do not have

You obviously do not have PTSD. There are no current medications that actually treat the disorder. Many Americans suffer with this disorder every day especially a large number of those who have fought for the freedom in our country but then are refused a medication that has been proven and with no doubt eases the symptoms associated with the disorder. I promise you, even though it may not be important to you, this is of great importance. You are right, this shouldn't take up so much time away from other issues. This should be resolved quickly with acceptance and we can all move forward. It is a fight because marijuana is not a Schedule 1 drug. Those thoughts are old, been proven wrong, and are ignorant. People are suffering and this medication helps. This needs to be done and I, who personally suffer from PTSD and am only treated with harmful Benzos that do not work, is anxious for relief! Thank you for your time.

Jesus, Uncle Barry is really

Jesus, Uncle Barry is really grasping at straws nowadays, isn't he? Dance, Bojangles, dance. Here, have a peanut.

Lyar Lyar pants on fire

Congress has to change scheduling and you can keep your health plan!

Posting on this site sucks

 the only options are preview and save? 

LEAP_Speaker's picture

Schedule I Drugs

 

Its not that difficult to change a drugs status. According to DEA's diversion page, 160 substances have been added, removed, or transferred to another schedule since 1970.

Jay Fleming

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stop crime konsum

I am from germany i see so many jails in us is that possibel ? In a land off tha frees !!!! Time to close guatanamo or yes you can do nathing. im not a terorissem i am a demokrat an justic for all . Sorry abauot my bad english

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