DEA CANNABIS RESCHEDULING

PUBLIC COMMENT VIEWER

Here is a random public comment on the rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III from an anonymous commenter.
I am providing comments in support of the reclassification of botanical cannabis (Docket No. DEA–1362). HHS appropriately concluded that cannabis “has a currently accepted medical use” and that its abuse potential does not warrant its placement as either a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance. I agree fully with this conclusion. I have utilized medically-recommended cannabis for more than half a decade for purposes of pain relief and, especially, to allow me to function day-to-day despite significant pain. It has been very effective in this regard. As an individual with EDS, movement disorder, nerve impingement, joint degeneration, arthritis, and with a history of accidental injury and sports-related trauma, resulting in multiple surgeries, my pain is chronic, long-term and continues to befuddle the conventional medical establishment. Although I have tried the more heavy-duty medications (which are available with a prescription), and while these medications do treat my pain: (1) when I take these traditional medications, I am either unable to or less able to mentally function, as compared to my normal baseline mental functions; and (2) I have liver disease which is made worse by the traditionally-prescribed hepatoxic medications. In addition, given that so many friends have died from opioid overdose, I refuse to take opioids. Cannabis has been a good pain solution for me. While it does not totally eliminate all of my pain, it substantially reduces my pain and gives me the drive and energy to go about my normal activities. I regularly obtain bloodwork in order to monitor my liver condition, and I am happy to report that after years of testing, cannabis use has not negatively impacted my liver functions. Finally, cannabis use does not detrimentally impact my mental acuity; I am able to carry on conversations, maintain relationships, to learn and study, and take care of my normal household duties while using cannabis, unlike many other pain medications. In terms of pain-management benefits vs. being able to function mentally, I think this is simply a matter of dosing which should be left to the patient and the prescribing doctor – not dictated by the government. In some instances, a patient may have severe pain which requires a higher dose, and that patient might not need to be sharp at all times. In other instances, if the pain is not as severe or if the patient needs to retain heightened mental acuity, then perhaps a lower dose will work for that patient. Additionally, cannabis can be utilized in connection with the more traditional pain medications but in a way that allows the patient to take less of the more traditional pain medications. Again, this should be between the patient and the doctor. I have used cannabis on and off for many years. On several occasions and for various reasons, I have quit cannabis “cold-turkey.” When I did so, I experienced ZERO physical symptoms of withdrawal. When I utilized cannabis as a student, my academic performance and grades improved rather dramatically. This is not potential for abuse. Finally, I would point to the fact that alcohol is legal but is significantly more toxic and is widely abused in our culture and does create symptoms of physical dependency. This is also true of opioids and nicotine/tobacco, which again are legal but do indeed have serious potential for abuse, unlike cannabis. My pain is typically most severe in the evenings (i.e., after a full day of using my body and defective movement patterns). My evening pain is debilitating and keeps me awake at night. However, I have managed to use the cannabis only in the evenings for years now. This is not potential for abuse. Finally, I have never experienced an adverse health outcome as a result of my cannabis use. If I ever take too high a dose, I can simply sleep it off. Indeed, sometimes for purposes of pain relief, I may want to take a higher dose that will help reduce my pain levels and cause me to go to sleep. I think that is a perfectly acceptable medical use. In my home state of Arizona, the medical access program has been operating for several decades. Medical cannabis can be regulated safely and effectively. While I believe cannabis should be removed from the CSA altogether – thereby harmonizing federal cannabis policy with those of most US states – I nonetheless do not oppose reclassification to Schedule III or lower. It would be arbitrary and capricious for the DEA to reject HHS’s findings of fact and to maintain existing prohibitions. It is time for the DEA to support the American people, rather than to vilify and arrest them. No one should be in prison for cannabis use. Lastly, due to current legal status and because DEA does/can incarcerate people for cannabis use, I believe many people will be hesitant to make truthful comments to DEA. DEA must take this fact into consideration when reviewing comments. Thank you for your consideration.
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