The federal government is badly out of step with states — and most Americans — on the legalization of marijuana.
Nearly half of states, Washington and Guam have legalized marijuana for recreational use, including Minnesota and Ohio just last year. A full 38 states have legalized its medicinal use. Yet Washington clings to an outdated, overly-strict model that puts marijuana in the same category as heroin, LSD and Ecstasy — Schedule 1 drugs that are banned, with no accepted medical use and subject to the highest restrictions. By contrast, cocaine, opium, meth and even fentanyl are all classified as less restricted Schedule 2 drugs.
