current Essays
Sept. 28, 2023 Real Clear Politics
The Biden administration‘s recent recommendation to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance provides the strongest signal yet that Democrats want progress.
July 14, 2023 Real Clear Politics
As a human species, we have failed to address the way modern drugs affect people and how our governments regulate their use. The top health policy decision-makers in the United States are so far behind their global peers that one must infer reefer madness to be a required course at U.S. medical schools.
Dec. 5, 2022 Real Clear Politics
With the Democrats retaining control of the Senate in a divided Congress, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer needs bipartisan issues that can generate enough Republican support to pass both chambers. It may be counter-intuitive, but cannabis legalization works for both sides.
Sept. 6, 2022 Real Clear Politics
On July 21, 2022, the three most ambitious U.S. senators ever to pay attention to cannabis sheepishly launched federal cannabis legislation into the future, with the introduction of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.
June 30, 2022 Real Clear Policy
At the beginning of legalized adult-use cannabis in CA in 2018, we all thought that as federal legalization became more of a “when” than an “if,” things would loosen up. The money situation here has gotten much tighter though, and the lack of capital is driving California cannabis to a painful and ignominious death.
2021 Essays
Feb 13, 2021 Real Clear Politics
To cannabis watchers, 2020 was the pivot year in the long and inevitable march toward federal legalization of adult-use cannabis in the United States. Thirty-eight states currently allow medical marijuana, and 15 of these have made it legal for adults over 21 to consume cannabis freely.
July 14, 2021 Real Clear Politics
Our country wants legal cannabis, and we are currently engaged in a nationwide legal-status transition of a very old plant. One day, the marijuana demons will rest, and we can all get back to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
April 3, 2021 Real Clear Politics
In the first months of the Biden administration, news about cannabis is erupting everywhere. NY and NY have agreed to legalize recreational cannabis, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter, re-introduced the SAFE Banking Act, which promises to reduce public safety risk by enabling legal cannabis operators to use the federal banking system.