Beyond Rescheduling Cannabis

The need for a paradigmatic shift in perception

As news breaks that the U.S. intends to reschedule cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, it's clear we are witnessing a pivotal, albeit initial, step toward correcting a long-standing misclassification. Yet, this regulatory adjustment scratches merely the surface of the broader transformation required in our societal understanding and cultural acceptance of cannabis.

When we think of cannabis, the imagery and associations that surface are as diverse as the people who discuss its use and impact. In the complex dialogue about cannabis, its classification—medically, legally, and culturally—plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and policy. 

To truly understand the potential and place of cannabis in our society, I’m going to bring us back to Set Theory, a mathematical framework that involves the collection of distinct objects considered as a whole.

You might remember Set Theory from your childhood education or from standardized tests. To make sure we’re all starting from the same place, consider Set Theory with a simple example. Imagine a set as a grouping of items under one category:

{apple, pear, dog, grape, banana}

In this set, we clearly see a category error—while apples, pears, grapes, and bananas fit well together as fruits, a dog is evidently out of place. 

Currently, in the United States, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, placing it in this set:

{cannabis, heroin, LSD, MDMA, peyote, psilocybin}

At present, the association of cannabis with drugs like heroin, LSD, and psilocybin under Schedule I is based on criteria that include a high potential for abuse, no recognized medical use, and a lack of accepted safety under medical supervision. This grouping not only misrepresents cannabis but also perpetuates a stigma that is increasingly at odds with scientific research and societal experience.

With the DEA expected to reclassify cannabis to Schedule III, it will put cannabis in this set:

{cannabis, anabolic steroids, ketamine, testosterone}

The proposed move to Schedule III, which includes substances like ketamine and codeine, will acknowledge its medical uses and lower abuse potential. However, this reclassification still fails to capture the essence and full potential of cannabis, positioning it uncomfortably alongside substances that, while less vilified, still do not align with cannabis's unique profile and benefits.

Culturally, people often place cannabis in another problematic set:

{cannabis, beer, wine, whiskey, cigarettes}

While this grouping suggests acceptable recreational use, it misleadingly aligns cannabis with substances that have distinctly different health impacts and social implications. Like the dog among the fruits, cannabis does not quite belong here either, given its unique properties and potential benefits.

The real transformative thinking comes when we imagine cannabis in an entirely different set—a set that aligns more closely with wellness and holistic health. Consider this set:

{cannabis, stretching, exercise, mindfulness, meditation, sleep, diet, hydration}

In this conceptualization, cannabis is part of a lifestyle that promotes well-being, a tool among many that can enhance quality of life and support health.

The evidence supporting cannabis’s benefits is growing. More than just a substance to be regulated, cannabis can be part of a broader health and wellness regimen, contributing to a balanced, health-conscious lifestyle.

Jointly’s data, as expressed in the Theory of Purposeful Cannabis Consumption, demonstrates that purposeful cannabis consumption supports a healthy lifestyle and that a healthy lifestyle supports a better cannabis experience.

The reclassification of cannabis into the set in which it belongs has some distance to travel.