Historic Times for Cannabis Reform in America: What Comes Next 60 day period for comments on cannabis re-scheduling is over?
July 23, 2024 marks a significant moment in American history, particularly for potential cannabis criminalization reform. The date signifies the expiration of the 60-day comment period mandated by law for the DEA’s re-scheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. Many are now wondering: what happens next?
During a recent phone call, I found myself pondering this question while speaking with Edwin Rubis, a name synonymous with one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in recent American history. Edwin has been incarcerated since 1997 on charges of marijuana trafficking charges, Edwin a Latino man who exercised his right to trial, during the trial the jury found Edwin guilty after the leader of the marijuana conspiracy testified against Edwin. Edwina Latino man was a mere driver less culpable then the white organizer of the marijuana conspiracy who received half the sentence of Edwin who received 40 years Edwin Rubis, a Latino man, has spent 27 years behind bars with another 7 years left, according to the BOP Inmate Locator https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ —a stark reminder of the human cost of federal cannabis prohibition. As I delve deeper into what lies ahead post-comment period, uncertainty looms large. The DEA could potentially schedule a hearing before an administrative law judge, a move permitted under federal law. There’s also speculation, albeit skeptical, about the impact of a recent Supreme Court ruling on future administrations’ stance towards rescheduling.
As I conduct my Google searches and grasp at the fragments of information available, this is the best I can find. -Amidst this uncertainty, advocates for marijuana rescheduling remain hopefully, anticipating a final decision before the upcoming November elections. Bryan Barash, Vice President of Public Affairs at Dutchie, an Oregon-based cannabis sales platform, echoes this optimism, underscoring the importance of the forthcoming decision.
I am reminded of the profound responsibility I carry—to inform and empower those like Edwin Rubis who await clarity on their fate. My recent interactions with lawmakers, including a dialogue with Ilhan Omar at her town hall meeting, lead me to speculate on the Biden administration’s potential actions. Vice President Kamala Harris’s visible enthusiasm during President Biden’s recent State of the Union address, where marijuana reform was highlighted, fuels my belief in forthcoming changes.
Despite criticisms of her prosecutorial past, particularly in California during the early 2000s, Harris’s alignment with cannabis reform signals a potential shift in federal policy. My intuition suggests that in the coming months, Harris may advocate for clemency for federal inmates like Edwin Rubis, whose continued incarceration seems increasingly unjust as societal views on cannabis evolve.
Having spent 8 years of my own life in the federal prison system for a similar offense at the age of 21, I intimately understand the anguish and despair within the walls of the BOP. My journey from incarceration to becoming a owner of a legitimate cannabis business has shaped my resolve to speak out against the injustices still prevalent today. The exponential growth of the cannabis sector cannot overshadow the fact that many individuals languish in prison while others profit immensely.
In closing, I urge everyone within earshot to heed my story and join the call to action: to advocate for the release of inmates serving disproportionately harsh sentences for cannabis-related offenses. As CEO of FREEDTHC.COM, a platform borne from personal experience and conviction, I am committed to driving meaningful change within the cannabis industry and beyond.
Thank you,
Travis Cullen
CEO of FREEDTHC.COM
Incarcerated from 2004-2013 at age 21 for 700 pounds of “marihuana”