The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) has released a bold draft executive order proposing transformative cannabis policy reform, emphasizing equity and public health.
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Announced in Washington, D.C., the framework aims to guide the federal government—potentially under the leadership of Donald Trump or future administrations—in addressing the legacy of cannabis criminalization, particularly in Black, Latine, and Indigenous communities.
Core Proposals of the Executive Order
The DPA's executive order outlines actionable measures to reshape federal marijuana policy, including:
Establishing a National Advisory Council
This body would ensure equity and public health remain central in federal cannabis policymaking.
Strategies would be developed to repair harms caused by criminalization.
Conducting Policy Assessments
Comprehensive evaluations of federal cannabis regulations would identify barriers affecting underserved communities.
Solutions would aim to dismantle systemic inequities.
Developing Equity Action Plans
These initiatives would prioritize benefits for communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization.
Issuing Agency Directives
Federal agencies would implement immediate steps to reduce ongoing harms of marijuana criminalization.
Efforts would align with broader equity and public health goals.
Calls for Federal Action
The DPA’s initiative coincides with growing calls for cannabis reform from Democratic lawmakers. Recently, 14 members of Congress, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), urged President Joe Biden to broaden marijuana pardons and deprioritize federal cannabis prosecutions before his term ends.
Legislative Voices on Cannabis Reform
Congresswoman Barbara Lee: "Federal cannabis policies have long inflicted harm on communities of color. The Biden administration has a unique chance to lead on criminal justice reform."
Senator Elizabeth Warren: "Rescheduling marijuana is progress, but federal law must go further to undo the systemic damage caused by the War on Drugs."
Senator Ron Wyden (OR): "While rescheduling is a step, more comprehensive federal reforms are needed to mitigate past harms and prepare for future equitable cannabis policies."
Impact of the Proposal
The DPA stresses that cannabis reform should center on improving lives rather than benefiting corporate interests. According to Cat Packer, DPA's director of drug markets and legal regulation, the executive order serves as a blueprint for leveraging executive authority to create a fair and equitable federal marijuana policy.
Broader Goals
Encourage immediate clemency for non-violent cannabis offenders.
Reduce racial disparities in cannabis enforcement.
Align federal policy with the growing acceptance of legal cannabis at state and local levels.
The Road Ahead
While the Biden administration has made strides, such as initiating the rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule III, advocates believe more aggressive action is needed. Congresswoman Lee, Senator Warren, and others argue that the president's final months in office present a critical opportunity to advance cannabis justice.
For further details, the draft executive order is available on the DPA website, offering a vision for future administrations to adopt equitable and public health-driven marijuana policies
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