Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s bill to legalize marijuana on the federal level is the wrong approach to cannabis reform, argues Kevin Sabet in the Wall Street Journal. A better way, he suggests, would be decriminalization for low-level possession and heavy regulation of the new industry to protect public health, along with a ban on the role of Big Tobacco in the emerging market. In particular, he proposes caps on the psychoactive component THC and curbs on concentrated marijuana products, as well as on any products designed to appeal to younger users. Keeping marijuana away from underage consumers is critical, he says, as use among children under 15 has increased in legal weed states including California, Nevada, and Oregon.
As such, there should be severe limits on any form of flavored or child-friendly products such as vapes and candies, as well as advertising. He also wants to stop Big Tobacco from taking a big stake in the industry, as the cigarette industry increases its investments in the new market. Overall, Sabet says we should enact measures that put public safety first—and help stop the rampant Colorado-style commercialization of the drug.