All articles tagged with #drug policy
An inaugural Enhanced Games would permit performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision, sparking a global debate over safety and fairness; supporters argue regulation could reduce risk and promote transparency, while critics warn it risks normalising doping. BBC's Dan Roan breaks down the controversy and notes that Olympian Ben Proud has joined.
The White House drug czar clarifies that moving marijuana to Schedule III under federal law does not legalize cannabis nationwide; the administration argues Schedule III covers medical use and research, not broad legalization. The new National Drug Control Strategy also flags the dangers of high-potency marijuana and illicit grows, and federal plans to recriminalize hemp THC products are expected later this year. In short, state cannabis reforms remain at odds with federal law.
The Trump administration moved state-licensed medical cannabis products and FDA-approved cannabis products from Schedule I to Schedule III, a partial rescheduling that doesn’t fully normalize cannabis at the federal level. Experts say this is not a broad reclassification and hinges on future FDA decisions, leaving implementation unclear and raising questions about protections for patients, housing and employment, and equity for minority entrepreneurs. A June 29 DEA hearing on rescheduling adds to the uncertainty amid ongoing debate about alignment with the UN Single Convention and overall public support for full legalization.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that FDA-approved and state-licensed marijuana will be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III, initiating an expedited hearing to fully reschedule the substance; the move is aimed at expanding research and patient care, though it does not yet apply to marijuana generally. It follows a separate executive order from Trump to speed the review of psychedelic therapies, signaling broader reforms to medical research and treatment.
The Justice Department reclassified cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, a historic policy shift that could boost research and access while marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche ordered the reclassification, following President Trump’s directive, applying to FDA-regulated products and state-licensed medical marijuana. Once published in the Federal Register, the rule takes effect after 30 days and may face legal challenges, with a DEA hearing planned for late June.
Trump plans to sign an executive order to accelerate research into psychedelic drugs such as LSD, Ecstasy, and psilocybin and to ease federal restrictions, targeting PTSD, depression and other mental health conditions, with $50 million earmarked for state-level ibogaine studies — a push Texas has already backed with a $50 million commitment.
The White House is drafting an executive order to open the door to federal funding for research on ibogaine, a psychedelic used abroad to treat PTSD and brain injuries. It would not reclassify the drug (still Schedule I) but signals support for further U.S. studies on safety and effectiveness, with a focus on veterans. Evidence is limited—mostly small observational studies—with notable cardiac risks and several deaths reported; a Stanford study suggested potential PTSD relief when ibogaine is paired with magnesium, yet more rigorous trials are needed before any medical use.
The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the federal ban on firearm possession by unlawful drug users is constitutional, testing how Bruen's historical tradition standard applies and whether the law's scope is vague enough to be enforceable; while the case could influence 2nd Amendment limits, the broader impact remains unclear, with a ruling expected by late June.
Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro is shifting away from forced coca eradication toward voluntary crop substitution (PNIS) to replace coca with legal crops, a policy praised for rural-benefit but criticized for not yet delivering lower coca cultivation or cocaine production amid continuing US pressure from Donald Trump; the program pairs farmer support with enforcement against traffickers, while numbers from the UN remain contested and political tensions rise ahead of May elections.
The NBA suspended Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George for 25 games after a violation of its anti-drug policy, with George stating he took an improper medication while undergoing treatment for a mental-health issue. The suspension begins this weekend against the New Orleans Pelicans, likely sidelining him for up to 37 games this season and impacting the Sixers’ rotation, playoff push, and potential roster moves around the trade deadline plus luxury-tax considerations.
Sara Carter has been confirmed as the first woman to lead the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, tasked with combating drug trafficking and addiction, bringing extensive experience as a cartel expert and investigative journalist.
President Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, potentially easing research restrictions and reducing stigma, though it does not legalize the drug federally. Experts believe this change could facilitate more scientific studies on marijuana's medical benefits, but some caution about increased addiction risks and emphasize that marijuana's medicinal value remains unproven by conclusive research.
The Trump administration designated illicit fentanyl and its precursors as weapons of mass destruction, aiming to intensify criminalization and potentially enable military actions abroad, but this move raises legal, domestic, and international concerns about its effectiveness and implications.
President Trump signed an executive order to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, aiming to expand research and access, while maintaining federal illegality; the move has received mixed reactions from lawmakers and the public.
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler opposes President Trump's consideration to reclassify marijuana, citing concerns about its potential to act as a gateway drug and the increased THC potency, and emphasizing the ongoing issues related to substance use disorder in the U.S.