You’ve probably seen or heard recently that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is reclassifying cannabis, i.e. marijuana. This should significantly benefit and legitimize research into how the plant, it’s thc and terpenes and other components which can help seniors live better lives.
In 1972, Attorney General John Mitchell added cannabis as a Schedule I drug, in the same category as drugs like heroin, making it challenging (and dangerous) for researchers to obtain and utilize it for studies. Rescheduling should remove these hurdles, allowing scientists to begin playing catch up with respect to where they might have been (knowledge-wise), had these restrictions not been in place for so long.The Schedule I classification effectively discouraged federal funding for cannabis research.
Rescheduling could allow for more federal grants and resources that could be focused on studying cannabis and seniors. Moreover, it will hopefully continue the trend of reducing the awkwardness around marijuana conversations. Other countries, including Israel are considered to be much further along with cannabis research than the United States.
With less stigma surrounding cannabis and more people partaking, seniors may be more willing (or even eager) to participate in future research studies. Over time, this should lead to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of thc’s potential benefits for seniors (older stoners).