The changing Republican drug policy

The Hill -   The Trump administration’s moves on marijuana and psychedelics signal the start of a new era in Republican drug policy. The orders to fast-track reviews of psychedelic drugs and reschedule medical marijuana are a far cry from the party of “just say no” and former Republican President Richard Nixon’s war on drugs. 

“Regardless of what one may think of the president … he seems to be someone who is open to innovation and is not imprisoned by dogmatic viewpoints,” said Bryan Hubbard, CEO of the advocacy group Americans for Ibogaine, a psychoactive compound that shows promise for addiction treatment. 

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order to loosen research restrictions on psychedelic drugs as medicine to treat mental conditions like depression and substance abuse disorder....

The order came with $50 million to boost states’ efforts and a directive for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fast-track reviews that could ultimately lead to the approval of psychedelic medicines. 

Days later, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche ordered the reclassification of state-licensed medical marijuana as less dangerous. Blanche said the Justice Department “is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options.”  

...Psychedelics are still illegal, and Trump did not endorse their use recreationally. Similarly, recreational marijuana was not legalized. It remains a Schedule I drug under federal law, akin to heroin or LSD. 

But together, the moves reflect changing public perception on “softer” drugs like cannabis and LSD. It also reflects the influence of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which together with Trump’s populist tendencies has helped jump-start a desire for drug experimentation and health freedom.