The inherent contradiction of federal marijuana laws came under blistering attack in the latest episode of Today in Ohio, as hosts discussed Ohio Congressman Dave Joyce’s legislation to finally align federal policy with the reality of state-level legalization.
“What’s idiotic about the current situation is the federal government is, in effect, turning millions of marijuana users in states where it’s legal, basically, into criminals,” said Chris Quinn, “Every one of the states that have legalized it, the people who buy it legally in their state are still violating federal law. They could still be charged with federal crimes…, the federal government’s not pursuing that. But the law shouldn’t be on the books.”
Joyce, a South Russell Republican who chairs the Cannabis Caucus in Washington, is proposing to remove marijuana from the federal controlled substance list and allow states to set their own cannabis policies. As Lisa Garvin explained on Thursday’s podcast episode, Joyce argues that “existing federal policy caused unnecessary harm and wasted tax money by diverting law enforcement resources from violent crime with needless arrests of small amounts of marijuana.”
The discussion highlighted the growing disconnect between federal prohibition and the 24 states, including Ohio, that have legalized recreational marijuana, plus 39 with medical marijuana programs. The state-federal conflict creates a bizarre legal limbo for millions of Americans who believe they’re following their state’s laws.
“Who’s in the way of this?” asked Quinn. “Are there people in Congress saying, no, no, no, I want these laws on the books and everybody who uses is a criminal. Why can’t this just get passed?”
The podcast panel framed the issue as fundamentally one of states’ rights versus federal overreach. “This really is the states telling the federal government, you know, take a hike, man. We’re in charge of this.,” said Quinn.
Garvin noted that while Joyce wants to remove cannabis from the controlled substances list, he recognizes the need for some federal framework. She mentioned that “Joyce, along with Hakeem Jeffries, they’re sponsoring a separate bill that would create a special commission to regulate cannabis on a federal level… similar to alcohol.”
The discussion captures the growing consensus across political lines that federal marijuana prohibition has become unsustainable. Joyce’s bill would ban distribution to people under 21 and implement common-sense regulations while respecting state sovereignty.
Want to hear more of this candid conversation? Listen to the episode here.
Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from Today in Ohio, a news podcast discussion by cleveland.com editors. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions.
Listen to full “Today in Ohio” episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
Podcast hosts question why Congress can’t remove cannabis from controlled substances list when 24 states have legalized it recreationally and 39 have medical programs Read More
