As there is more push for cannabis decriminalization and legalization across all 50 states, more people are wondering why the federal government isn’t following suit. The Drug Enforcement Administration still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, putting it in the same category as heroin, LSD, and methamphetamine. CBD has recently been declassified as a schedule I, leading the way in the medical industry with CBD oils and CBD pain relief rubs. Yet, cannabis in Cathlamet WA is still a criminal substance according to the U.S. government.
According to the DEA, a Schedule I classification is defined as “drugs, substances, or chemicals with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” While heroin and meth certainly deserve a spot on that list, noticeably absent are habit-forming pharmaceutical opioids such as fentanyl and oxycodone which are listed as Schedule II drugs. Furthermore, the evidence just doesn’t support the idea that cannabis has no medical benefits, or that people have a higher likelihood of abusing cannabis.
Cannabis is as dangerous as heroin?
With the exception of four states, all states plus Cathlamet, WA. have some medical cannabis program allowance. The reasons why these programs were put into effect is because of the proven medical benefits attributed to cannabis and CBD pain relief rubs. In patients with chronic or terminal illnesses, cannabis has been shown to increase appetite, reduce nausea, and help reduce pain and anxiety associated with those illnesses. CBD hemp oil for pain has proved to be an effective source of pain relief without significant side effects for a multitude of conditions.
Not only is there no known lethal dose of cannabis as opposed to heroin, but Robert S. Gable also poses that cannabis is safer than drinking alcohol. Ironically, LSD which is classified as a Schedule I drug by the DEA was not found to have a significant potential for abuse or dependence, according to Gable’s research.
While heroin was responsible for the deaths of 15,000 people in 2017, a five-fold increase from 2010 to 2017, marijuana has been responsible for zero deaths. Meanwhile, legal Schedule II pharmaceutical opioids are linked to the overdose deaths of 46 people per day in the United States and contributed to 35% of opioid overdose deaths in 2017.
While cannabis is much safer than heroin, methamphetamine, or even alcohol, some data suggests cannabis can become addictive. The CDC classifies clinically significant impairment associated with overuse and abuse of cannabis as marijuana use disorder and identifies 4 million people as struggling with this disorder out of the 24 million regular users of cannabis. This is largely attributed to the rising potency of cannabis strains as opposed to three decades ago, which can disrupt the developing brain in teenagers and young adults.
When used responsibly, cannabis will not lead to an overdose death, but it may present problems, including a drop in performance at work or school and cognitive impairment if it is abused. Some have attributed early use and experimentation of cannabis with mental illness, including psychosis and schizophrenia. However, considering that CBD and cannabis are paving the way as a breakthrough treatment for schizophrenia and psychosis, this connection seems unlikely. Schizophrenia often first presents as depression, anxiety, and insomnia, which sufferers may find relief from by self-medicating with cannabis.
Cannabis as an opioid addiction treatment
Cannabis and CBD products are also being studied for their potential use as an alternative treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Because the medications currently approved by the FDA for OUD come with very high risks, doctors are seeking alternative remedies to help combat opioid abuse and get addicted patients off opioids for good.
According to this study, there is new and emerging evidence that cannabis may play a significant role in ameliorating the physical and emotional toll that OUD has on a patient. While more studies need to be conducted in this field, the research is also incredibly promising for the use of CBD to help reduce anxiety, cravings, and inflammation caused by opioid dependency. CBD, while no longer classified as a Schedule I drug by the DEA, is still stigmatized because of its relation to cannabis. CBD may be more promising in the fight against opioid addiction because it does not contain the psychoactive component THC.
Final thoughts
Cannabis’ classification as a Schedule I drug is, indeed, out of touch with the desire of the American people. According to an October 2018 poll, 62% of Americans favor the legalization of cannabis. The potential health benefits associated with both cannabis and hemp-derived CBD oil for pain management can no longer be ignored. With proper treatment plans put in place to assist those who may potentially abuse a substance, it seems there is no reason to continue to call cannabis as dangerous as heroin.