# What is Going on with Marijuana at the Federal Level? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** weed-pot-marijuana\ **Created:** [May 2, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063 "2024-05-02T12:14:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/1 "2024-05-02T12:14:14Z")
I think this belongs here, since it really is a political question. At this point, 24 states with a majority of the US population have legal recreational weed. And that’s without getting into medical. Pew finds 70% of US adults support legalization. [9 facts about Americans and marijuana | Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/10/facts-about-marijuana/#:~:text=Gallup%20asked%20this%20question%20most,on%20Drug%20Use%20and%20Health). But there was a story this morning that the feds are cracking down on farms in NM, despite it being legal there [https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/01/federal-crackdown-new-mexico-weed-farmers-00155624](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/01/federal-crackdown-new-mexico-weed-farmers-00155624) And I don’t think I need a cite to point out that it’s still illegal at the federal level, and Biden’s recent efforts to reclassify aren’t nearly sufficient. Weed businesses will still be locked out of the banking system. The real crux of the question is: What the hell is going on? At this point, it doesn’t seem controversial to just make it a straight states’ issue. Just make federal law mute. I don’t understand why the President and Congress don’t see this as an easy bipartisan win. It’s hard to imagine with 70% support some Republican senator in Utah is at risk. What’s the real story here ? I’m interested in both opinions and factual (to the extent possible) reporting. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/2 "2024-05-02T12:26:01Z")
It’s an election year and Biden wants to appease the MJ crowd while not offending the anti-MJ crowd. As for farms in New Mexico, these seem to be more of border control actions and not cracking down on growers as you state. I don’t see where the DEA is involved, only Customs and Border Protection agencies. The farms they are talking about are within the border zone and are likley suspected as being run by the cartels. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/3 "2024-05-02T12:26:33Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > The real crux of the question is: What the hell is going on? Baby steps. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/4 "2024-05-02T12:26:35Z")
ETA: Ninja-ed by @Si_Amigo. IMO … Right now nothing except electoral politics matters to anyone in power. Legalizing weed might be popular with 70%, but it also provides a ready made propaganda win to the frothing RW extremist crowd. Who have far more voting power than they have numbers. There’s no _electoral_ upside to Biden touching this. Between the Ds, the Rs, the MAGAs, and the Freedumb Caucus, our sitting Congress couldn’t get its shit together enough to pass a bill whose only provision was to double their own salaries. Much less to approve something with actual controversy attached to it. So nothing will be done until the next congress and administration. And what would be done then will depend massively on which of the presidential candidates and congressional contingents does well out of it. Mostly unrelated to the above: Also never forget that e.g. “70% approve of [whatever]” is a very different thing from “70% care _tremendously_ about [whatever] and will alter their vote to favor whoever will deliver [whatever], regardless of any other considerations.” IOW, there are many single-issue voters, but there are very few marijuana legalization single-issue voters. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/5 "2024-05-02T13:59:07Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > IOW, there are many single-issue voters, but there are very few marijuana legalization single-issue voters. Back in 2014 I campaigned hard for Tom Wolf, who promised to get a medical marijuana program started in PA. I contacted everyone I knew and kept contacting them until they also were involved. Long story short, Wolf won and kept his word. That was my one and only foray into politics. Oh, and Wolf did a fantastic job dealing with COVID! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/6 "2024-05-02T14:51:20Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > Biden’s recent efforts to reclassify aren’t nearly sufficient. Rescheduling is a huge step; it’s just a huge step that should’ve happened decades ago. It will do things like open the door for lots more research into the potential health benefits of cannaboids, which will go a long way towards shifting public perception of it as a Bad Drug for Bad People. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/7 "2024-05-02T19:41:46Z")
I consider cannibus similar to alcohol. Not all uses of alcohol are healthy or safe. But consumed responsibly, I got no problem with. Same is true of cannibus. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/8 "2024-05-02T21:16:48Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > cannibus Cannabis, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/9 "2024-05-03T01:41:32Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > The farms they are talking about are within the border zone and are likley suspected as being run by the cartels. They’re seizing cannabis being transported through CBP checkpoints (what we called skin checks growing up.) Nothing to do with who anyone thinks runs what. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/10 "2024-05-03T02:31:05Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > It’s an election year and Biden wants to appease the MJ crowd while not offending the anti-MJ crowd. I suspect it’s sort of a detente type situation where the non-weed states and the weed states are kind of in an uneasy balance where the Feds basically don’t enforce, and let the states do their own thing. The status quo benefits both sides, so neither is really willing to rock the boat. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/11 "2024-05-03T02:32:02Z")
Not if you’re these guys. [The Cannabus: Marijuana Bus Tour Newest Way To Toke In The Scenery Across LA - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN-LzED1dls) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/12 "2024-05-03T15:13:39Z")
Are there still any pols who claim pot is as bad as heroin? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/13 "2024-05-03T15:24:49Z")
I’m not sure they say It’s as bad as heroin, but there is resistance to this move. > A coalition of 14 Republican congressional lawmakers is also [urging DEA to “reject” the top federal health agency’s recommendation to reschedule marijuana](https://www.marijuanamoment.net/14-gop-congressional-lawmakers-tell-dea-to-keep-marijuana-in-schedule-i-and-reject-top-health-agencys-recommendation/) and instead keep it in the most restrictive category under the CSA. > **[Marijuana Rescheduling Would ‘Supersize’ The Industry, Former DEA Heads And...](https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-rescheduling-would-supersize-the-industry-former-dea-heads-and-white-house-drug-czars-warn-biden-administration/)** > > Six former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) heads and five former White House drug czars have sent a letter to the attorney general and current DEA administrator, voicing opposition to the top federal health agency’s recommendation to reschedule... ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/14 "2024-05-03T15:34:20Z")
To the extent that the cartels control the pot trade, that would be gone upon legalization as Mom & Pop growers openly take over. Don’t they realize that anyone who wants pot already has it, and no one is going to smoke any more or any less just because it’s legal? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/15 "2024-05-03T15:45:56Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/3pC8N.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/3pC8N.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/16 "2024-05-03T15:55:41Z")
Jeeze, can’t there be a happy medium? ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/17 "2024-05-03T16:14:15Z")
A _pot needle_??? Lethal pot fumes?? I wonder if the one writing that, have ever talked to someone who have tried pot. At least the guy kept his nice computer. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/18 "2025-12-19T15:59:00Z")
I rarely revive zombies, but thought this might be an appropriate thread to discuss Trump’s recent XO urging/ordering reclassification of marijuana. > **[INCREASING MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND CANNABIDIOL RESEARCH](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/increasing-medical-marijuana-and-cannabidiol-research/)** > > By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1.  Purpose and Found the timing curious in light of a recent study that suggested the benefits of medical marijuana to be somewhat limited. > **[Huge Study Finds Very Worrying Results for Medical Marijuana Patients](https://futurism.com/health-medicine/huge-study-medical-marijuana)** > > Psychiatrists studied years of medical cannabis research and concluded that medical cannabis doesn't help patients on acute pain or insomnia. Personally, I’ve long been dubious about many of the claims of medical efficacy. Not saying that it has NO benefit, or that it doesn’t “feel good” to get high. And I’ve long been a supporter of legalization of pretty much all substances. So I guess I have to support any efforts to reclassify THC. I would think that if reclassified, any convictions for marijuana-related offenses should be revisited. The guy is so eager to grant pardons… And pulling this thread up gives me reason to ask where the heck **kayaker** has been? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/19 "2025-12-21T15:21:18Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > And pulling this thread up gives me reason to ask where the heck **kayaker** has been? His last post was from St. Maarten on Jan 14th 2025. A place where he vacations frequently and has for years. No sign of anything amiss then. His last visit (while logged in) was in April 2025. So he’s either anonymously lurking since then or has dropped off SDMB completely. There’d been speculation on causes for his disappearance, but no hard info. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063/20 "2025-12-21T18:09:08Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > There’d been speculation on causes for his disappearance, but no hard info. The recent ATMB thread had me look up my history, and **kayaker** (and you) were at/near the top of folk I have responded to over the years.