United States: Surgeon General speaks out in favor of decriminalizing cannabis

The U.S. federal government's spokesperson on public health issues said Sunday that it was time to stop imprisoning people for cannabis use.

«When it comes to decriminalization, I don’t think there’s any value for individuals or society in locking people up for cannabis use,» Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said during an appearance on CNN. «I don’t think it serves anyone’s interests.».

Mr. Murthy was responding to a question regarding the federal bill on the legalization of cannabis, released last week by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other prominent senators.

Although the Surgeon General has not come out in favor of widespread legalization of cannabis, his comments indicate that he supports an approach that would at least decriminalize low-level possession.

President Joe Biden, who opposes widespread legalization, campaigned on a platform for gradual decriminalization and the expungement of prior criminal records, but has taken no action to follow through on these promises since taking office.

«When it comes to marijuana, I think we need to let science guide us,» Mr. Murthy said in the interview with CNN. «And we know that science tells us there are benefits to cannabis from a medical standpoint, but there are also drawbacks that we need to take into account—and we need to weigh them together when considering the right policy.»

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy says he does not believe "that there is any value to individuals or to society in locking people up for marijuana use," but emphasizes the need to "let science guide our process and policymaking." #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/g3gNEDEcQ8

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 18, 2021

Vivek Murthy, who previously served as Surgeon General under the Obama administration, said he was concerned that the push to change cannabis laws is outpacing the science.

«When it comes to our approach to cannabis, I’m concerned when we don’t let science guide our process and decision-making,» he said in his latest remarks. «And as Surgeon General, that is my role: to work with policymakers who, in turn, work with community members and the general public to help people understand what the science tells us and where there are gaps, and to help fill those gaps through research and honest inquiry.»

Previously, in 2015, Murthy stated that there is «preliminary data showing that, for certain medical conditions and symptoms, marijuana may be helpful.» « In 2018, however, the doctor expressed »concern about the speed with which states have legalized cannabis,« as there are »many unknowns” regarding its effects.