Legal medical cannabis for police across the US…?? OK, sure, that headline perked up our ears … even though (spoiler alert!) the proposal turned out to be a symbolic gesture.
However, it’s still of note as part of the busiest, wildest session for Congressional cannabis watchers we can remember (See Part Two, later today)….
We at TRUCE truly enjoy bringing this blog to you on a daily basis. For us, and perhaps for you as well, we’ve come to see every story we share as yet another puzzle piece in a much larger saga of societies everywhere struggling to figure out how to rationally unwind 80 years of the never-close-to-justified complete prohibition of both bioactive cannabis and agricultural hemp – and the quest to find an evidenced-based balance point allowing the benefits of both to flourish – with some rational degree of regulation.
The mission of advocacy for safe, legal, affordable access to medical cannabis for all who can benefit – a movement which has largely driven this whole reform trend – turns out to be smack in the middle of this larger historical rewinding and recalibration of laws and policy with complex ramifications for medicine, agriculture, government, many other (large) industries, and other aspects of society in general.
One thing we’ve learned to be sure of is that with a social fabric so wrinkled and a governmental system so warped by stereotypes and myths for so long, there are always going to be twists and turns in the story no one can predict, and which are as in this case almost ironic…
Excerpts: “A powerful Congressional committee just debated a measure calling on federal agencies to study the use of medical cannabis by police officers.
‘The government has lied to the American people for a generation,’ Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said. ‘Substantial evidence indicates there is a case for medical efficacy in the treatment of mental health and particularly PTSD.’
The stated goal of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, is to ‘protect the mental health and well-being of law enforcement officers’ and requires the US Attorney General … to author a report on mental health practices and services that could be adopted by police agencies across the country….
…Nonetheless, Gaetz withdrew the amendment without forcing a vote in the hopes that leadership is serious about working with him to remove research roadblocks via standalone legislation. ‘Our policies should follow the science and not this ridiculous, antiquated dogma…,’ he said.”
…We’ll give an “Indeed, Congressman” on that last sentiment. And, as you can see yet again, while we will always focus on our core issue, there will be no shortage of novel stories to bring you as well…
#MMJ #USpol #FederalReform #UTpol #UtahNext #TRUCE
http://ift.tt/2ylFItP
See full article – Congress Debates Medical Marijuana For Cops | Marijuana Moment
