The Contradictory Status of Marijuana's Medicinal Use

July 27, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - The provided text from "Marijuana Moment" highlights a growing disparity between the federal government's classification of marijuana and the increasing recognition of its medicinal properties. Despite the U.S. government maintaining cannabis as a Schedule I drug, signifying no accepted medical use, a USDA database explicitly describes it as "medicinal," and the Department of Health and Human Services has acknowledged its medical utility. The article also details the stalled federal rescheduling process, explaining the ongoing legal and political challenges. Furthermore, it discusses various studies and reports supporting marijuana's therapeutic benefits for conditions like pain and anxiety, alongside broader public and political support for cannabis reform.

USDA - stance

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases, describes the use of Cannabis sativa as having "medicinal" uses. This database is widely considered a leading source of information on the relationship between people and plants.

Specifically, the USDA listing notes that THC-the chemical component of cannabis responsible for its Schedule I status under the Controlled Substances Act-is associated with a variety of therapeutic actions. These potential uses include treating pain, convulsions, spasticity, glaucoma, and eating disorders.

This position from the USDA appears to conflict with the federal government's official classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which is reserved for substances with "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse". Reform advocates, such as Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), are "glad to see the USDA coming to the same conclusion" as various medical and public health organizations that also recognize cannabis's medical applications.

How does rescheduling mary jane benefit businesses ?

Rescheduling marijuana, specifically moving it to Schedule III from Schedule I, would offer significant benefits to licensed cannabis businesses. The primary advantages highlighted in the sources include:

Federal Tax Deductions: Rescheduling would free up licensed cannabis businesses to take federal tax deductions. Currently, under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code 280E, businesses dealing with Schedule I or II substances are generally prohibited from deducting ordinary business expenses, leading to a much higher effective tax rate. Moving to Schedule III would alleviate this burden, allowing these businesses to deduct legitimate business expenses. It's worth noting, however, that two GOP senators introduced a bill in February that would continue to block marijuana businesses from taking federal tax deductions under IRS code 280E, even if it's ultimately rescheduled.

Removal of Research Barriers: The reform would also remove certain research barriers for cannabis. The Schedule I classification has historically made it extremely difficult to conduct scientific research on marijuana due to stringent federal regulations, limiting the ability to further understand its medical properties and potential uses. A move to Schedule III would ease these restrictions, potentially leading to more comprehensive studies and the development of new cannabis-based medicines and products.

What are the broader societal and economic impacts of evolving marijuana legalization and perceptions?

Evolving marijuana legalization and perceptions have several broader societal and economic impacts:

Economic Impacts:

Real Estate Value and Growth: Houses in states where marijuana is legal are worth more and grow in value faster than those where criminalization remains.

Industry Job Satisfaction: Workers in the marijuana industry are reportedly the happiest in any job sector in the U.S., according to a survey.

Impact on the Alcohol Industry: Marijuana legalization is putting "pressure" on the alcohol industry, as indicated by the CEO of Jack Daniel's parent company amid profit losses.

Business Tax Deductions (Potential Benefit from Rescheduling): While not yet fully realized, a key benefit of rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III would be to free up licensed cannabis businesses to take federal tax deductions. Currently, under IRS code 280E, these businesses are generally blocked from deducting ordinary business expenses, leading to higher effective tax rates.

Societal Impacts and Perceptions:

Public Acceptance and Support:

A significant 70 percent of Americans support allowing marijuana use at casinos and resorts.

Surveys indicate that a majority of Republicans back various cannabis reforms, including rescheduling, and show even greater support for allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference compared to the average voter.

Sports fans welcome cannabis brand sponsorships for teams in professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB, according to a poll.

Challenging Stereotypes: A survey suggests that marijuana users are nearly five times as likely to regularly exercise than eat fast food, challenging common negative stereotypes.

Medical Recognition and Use:

Marijuana is increasingly recognized as an "effective treatment option" for chronic pain patients, improving their quality of life.

Studies show that medical marijuana reduces anxiety and depression. Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Program saw significant expansion after anxiety was added as a qualifying condition. Psychedelic retreats, which are often discussed alongside cannabis, have also "significantly improved" mental health for military veterans with PTSD and depression.

There is a growing scientific and agency consensus that contradicts the federal government's Schedule I classification of marijuana, with bodies like the USDA's plant database describing Cannabis sativa as having "medicinal" uses for conditions like pain, convulsions, spasticity, glaucoma, and eating disorders.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined that cannabis "has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States", and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) acknowledges evidence of its effectiveness in treating some forms of pain.

Marijuana is "legally recommended for medical use to close to 5 million Americans by around 30,000 doctors in 38 states and the District of Columbia".

Political Implications: There's a perception that the endorsement of cannabis reforms, such as rescheduling, can be an attempt to shore up support among young voters, with former Congressman Matt Gaetz suggesting the GOP could gain youth votes by embracing marijuana reform.

Advocacy for Broader Reforms: Beyond rescheduling, advocates are pushing for expanded pardons and the freeing up of banking services for licensed cannabis businesses, as seen in a letter sent to former President Trump by a coalition of athletes and entertainers.

Chey Garrigan is the Found and President of the Alabama Cannabis Industry association and a commercial real estate broker.

Opinions expressed are the views of the writer alone and do not necessarily express the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.