During a CNN interview on July 18, newly appointed Surgeon General Vivek Murthy spoke about needing federal cannabis decriminalization.
“When it comes to decriminalization, I don’t think that there is value to individuals or to society to lock people up for marijuana use,” Surgeon General Murthy told CNN. “I don’t think that serves anybody well.”
“When it comes to marijuana, I think we have to let science guide us,” the Surgeon General continued. “And we know that the science tells us that there are some benefits to marijuana from a medical perspective but there are also some harms that we have to consider—and we have to put those together as we think about the right policy.”
Surgeon General Murthy did stop short of fully endorsing a full blown recreational adult-use cannabis program across the state. But he did finish his short interview with this: “In terms of our approach to marijuana, I worry when we don’t let science guide our process and policymaking. And as surgeon general that’s my role, is to work with policymakers who work with members in the community and the general public to help people understand what science tells us and where you (go), to help fill those gaps with research and with honest inquiry.”
Response
Surgeon General Murthy’s interview with CNN took place a few days after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and other Senators introduced a draft for a federal legalization bill. Called the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), the bill looks to remove cannabis from the Schedule I drug list. It also offers social equity opportunities, and expunge previous non-violent drug crimes.
CAOA hasn’t been fully introduced into the Senate yet. Senators Schumer, Wyden, and Booker are looking for public input on their bill before officially introducing the bill. In a controversial event, Senator Booker, D-N.J., said he would block the SAFE Banking Act until CAOA’s introduction.
“First of all, don’t get me wrong, I support the SAFE Banking Act. I think it’s a phenomenal bill,” Senator Booker stated in an interview with Yahoo Finance. “I’m one of these folks that is out here working with cannabis industries—not only across the state of New Jersey, but around the country.”
Future
Lawmakers in the capitol continue to work out the details of their upcoming bills. However, it seems support from the current Surgeon General is a boost towards changing how the law looks at cannabis. President Biden will follow through with his campaign pledge to deschedule cannabis. As of now, nothing has come from the president since taking office in January.
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