5 Ways Current Drug Laws Don’t Make Sense

With the overdose crisis still looming and the war on drugs facing mounting criticism for its limited success, Rob Bovett argues for smarter, evidence-based drug policies in his latest essay. (The Liberal Patriot)

1. Research barriers: Schedule I drugs are labeled as having no medical value, blocking federal funding for studies into their potential benefits.

• This prevents critical research into treatments for diseases that could benefit millions, such as cannabis for epilepsy or psychedelics for mental health conditions.

2. Absurd categorization of drugs: Marijuana remains in Schedule I (the most restrictive category) alongside heroin, while more harmful drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl, which drove the overdose crisis, are in Schedule II.

3. Laws haven’t kept up with the times: Current policies don't grapple with the increase in high-potency cannabis products.

• Legal gray areas allow unsafe practices, such as unregulated THC levels in products sold under state laws.

• Communities are left to deal with increased homelessness and crime tied to illegal drug markets, which persist despite legalization efforts.

4. Going after the wrong targets: Decades of focus on border enforcement hasn’t significantly reduced the availability of synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

• Instead, regulating the chemicals used to make drugs could be a better way to stop production at its source.

5. Patchwork policies: Without a federal framework, states face challenges like interstate cannabis commerce, inconsistent regulation and under-enforced safety measures.

• The result is confusion for consumers, risks for public safety and missed opportunities for federal tax revenue and research oversight.