Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis

Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis is a United States-based organization that advocates for the reclassification of cannabis under federal law. The coalition was formed in 2002 and has been instrumental in pushing for the reevaluation of cannabis' status as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

History

The Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis was established in 2002 by a group of individuals and organizations who recognized the therapeutic potential of cannabis and were concerned about the legal and social barriers preventing its medical use. The coalition's primary goal is to have cannabis rescheduled from Schedule I, a category reserved for drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, to a lower schedule that would acknowledge its medical value and allow for its prescription under medical supervision.

Advocacy

The Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis has been involved in a number of legal and advocacy efforts aimed at changing the federal classification of cannabis. In 2002, the coalition filed a petition with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requesting that cannabis be rescheduled. The DEA denied the petition in 2011, a decision that was upheld by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2013.

Despite these setbacks, the coalition continues to advocate for the rescheduling of cannabis, citing a growing body of scientific research demonstrating its therapeutic benefits for a range of conditions, including chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. The coalition also points to the increasing acceptance of medical cannabis at the state level as evidence that federal law is out of step with public opinion and scientific consensus.

Members

The Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis is made up of a number of organizations and individuals who support the medical use of cannabis. Members include Patients Out of Time, the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis, and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), among others.

See also

• Cannabis rescheduling in the United States
• Medical cannabis
• Legal and medical status of cannabis