This chapter provides an in-depth look at Joe Biden's executive order on marijuana, the proposed reclassification of cannabis on the Controlled Substances Act, and the implications for federal drug policy. It explores the dissonance between state and federal laws, highlighting varying approaches to marijuana legalization from stringent medical marijuana laws in Utah to more liberal policies in states like Oregon and Oklahoma. The chapter also delves into the challenges of illegal cannabis markets flourishing even in states where marijuana is legal, the rise in potency of marijuana products, and the associated risks for youth, underscoring the need for regulations to prevent harm.
The federal government has moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous controlled substance. Politico cannabis policy reporter Natalie Fertig explains why it is and isn’t a big deal.
This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
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