Think twice about changing marijuana’s classification, says GOP Rep. Mike Lawler, and he isn’t shy about where he stands. Lawler argues that rescheduling cannabis would be a misstep, calling marijuana a gateway drug and asserting that most people who end up using harder substances began with marijuana first. He voiced this view during a NewsNation interview with Blake Burman on The Hill program.
President Trump recently indicated he is weighing a reclassification of cannabis to a less dangerous category. By contrast, the Biden administration had started a process last year to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III but the effort stalled after the former president’s term ended.
Lawler pointed out another factor: the potency of marijuana has risen considerably. He noted that the average tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration in cannabis has climbed from about 5% in the 1990s to roughly 15–20% today, citing data from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Under current law, marijuana has been a Schedule I substance since 1971, placing it in the same category as heroin, methamphetamine, and LSD. Schedule I drugs are deemed to have no accepted medical use, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. In contrast, Schedule III includes substances like ketamine, some anabolic steroids, and testosterone, which are considered to have a moderate to low potential for dependence.
Long-term marijuana use has been associated with respiratory, mental health, and gastrointestinal issues, and it may increase the risk of cancers in the head, neck, or throat, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The institute also notes that risk factors for addiction are similar across drugs, and starting marijuana at a younger age can raise the chances of a cannabis use disorder later in life.
On the policy landscape, 42 states plus Washington, D.C., have legalized medical marijuana, and 24 states allow recreational use.
Despite these factors, Lawler remains opposed to rescheduling. He emphasized that the country already faces significant challenges with substance use disorders, and he does not view a change in marijuana’s classification as a wise move. He stated clearly that he is against it.
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