Nurses Association Advocates for Cannabis Reclassification to DEA

American Nurses Association Supports Rescheduling of Cannabis in Comments to DEA

The American Nurses Association (ANA), representing over five million registered nurses across the United States, has officially submitted public comments to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) advocating for the reclassification of botanical cannabis. This move underscores the organization’s longstanding recognition of cannabis’s therapeutic potential and marks a significant step in the ongoing debate over federal marijuana policies.

ANA’s Advocacy for Cannabis Rescheduling

The ANA’s support for medical cannabis is not new. Since 2003, the association has championed patients’ rights to access therapeutic marijuana under appropriate prescriber supervision. In its latest comments to the DEA, the ANA reiterates its position, calling the rescheduling of cannabis a “critical first step” in amending federal marijuana policies.

Therapeutic Benefits and Reduced Risks

In its comments, the ANA strongly supports the medical use of cannabis to alleviate disease-related symptoms and side effects. The association agrees with analyses indicating that cannabis possesses numerous therapeutic qualities and should be reclassified to Schedule III. Additionally, the ANA urges the Department of Justice and the DEA to act swiftly to decontrol cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Comparison to Alcohol and Public Safety

The ANA emphasizes that current evidence shows alcohol has a higher abuse rate than cannabis. The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) review for rescheduling cannabis highlights its lower risk to public safety compared to alcohol. Despite the limited therapeutic research allowed thus far, the review confirmed at least three medical benefits of cannabis. The ANA argues that the current federal legal scheme and state differences leave providers and patients in a constant state of fear when seeking to utilize cannabis’s medical benefits.

Call for Legislative Action

The ANA concludes its comments by urging agencies to follow the evidence as more research is allowed and funded. The association also calls for collaboration with Congress to remove cannabis from CSA scheduling, thereby advancing public health and therapeutic access.

NORML’s Endorsement and Opposition Counterclaims

NORML’s Deputy Director, Paul Armentano, highlighted the significant role nurses have played in advocating for cannabis policy changes. “Nurses have long known through their own first-hand experience working with patients that cannabis holds legitimate therapeutic value,” Armentano said. He noted that nursing groups have historically been among the most vocal advocates for marijuana policy reform.

Addressing Opposition Claims

The ANA’s comments counter claims from opposition groups suggesting a lack of support among professional health and medical associations for medical cannabis. Recently, a letter from 25 Republican members of Congress to US Attorney General Merrick Garland urged the administration to maintain marijuana as a Schedule I drug, arguing that no major medical association supports the use or legalization of medical marijuana. In reality, a super-majority of practicing physicians believe that cannabis has medical value, and over a quarter of physicians nationwide have recommended medical cannabis to their patients, a fact highlighted by NORML in its own public comments to the DEA.

The American Nurses Association’s support for the rescheduling of cannabis marks a pivotal moment in the broader discussion of marijuana policy reform. By reaffirming the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and advocating for its reclassification, the ANA adds a powerful voice to the growing chorus calling for evidence-based changes to federal cannabis regulations. As the DEA considers these public comments, the involvement of respected medical organizations like the ANA could significantly influence the future of cannabis policy in the United States.