Social Workers Call On Biden To Fully Decriminalize Marijuana
Nearly 150 social workers have issued a call to President Joe Biden to remove marijuana entirely from the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), despite the administration’s proposal to downgrade the substance from Schedule I to Schedule III.
The letter, sent last week, stressed the urgent need for decriminalization, citing the disproportionate impact of marijuana criminalization on communities of color and the ongoing individual and collective suffering caused by prohibition, Marijuana Moment reported.
“The criminalization of marijuana has torn apart families, with overwhelmingly disparate impact in communities of color,” the letter states. “If marijuana remains scheduled under the CSA, the individual and collective suffering caused by prohibition will continue growing.”
The Impact Of Criminalization
Social workers highlighted that under current laws, individuals convicted of drug offenses can lose public benefits, including welfare aid under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and access to housing.
“By virtue of our profession, we have witnessed the grievous harm that marijuana criminalization has caused,” the letter asserts. “If marijuana remains scheduled, parents will lose their children, children will lose their homes, and beloved members of our households will be deprived of essential benefits.”
Patchwork Of State And Local Laws
The letter also criticized the inconsistent state and local laws regarding marijuana, …