Alpena News Guest Columnist

Jesse Osmer

As a conservative public policy advocate who has worked in federal, state, and local government, I’ve always taken a cautious approach when it comes to drug policy. Like many in public service, I worried about the unintended consequences of cannabis legalization. After watching how things have unfolded here in Michigan, and seeing firsthand how cannabis has not brought the kind of disruption some feared, I’ve come to believe that it’s time that leaders in our federal agencies revisit this issue with a more practical lens. Classifying cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug does not make sense and actively holds back legitimate medical research; this is why I support rescheduling cannabis to a Schedule III drug instead.

In 2018, Michigan voters made their decision to legalize cannabis, and as local officials, we’ve had to adapt. What’s become clear over the last few years is that cannabis is simply not causing the public safety concerns associated with more dangerous substances. Our law enforcement agencies are still contending with the real threats of opioid abuse and methamphetamine, substances that tear families apart and strain emergency services. Cannabis doesn’t belong in the same legal category as these substances, and many, including President Donald Trump, have expressed their support for rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III.

Rescheduling cannabis would allow for the kind of rigorous medical research that should have been happening all along. Across the country, including in our rural communities, patients with chronic pain, veterans dealing with PTSD, and people with other conditions are using cannabis as part of their treatment. But the current Schedule I classification makes it unnecessarily difficult for scientists to study the substance, for doctors to confidently discuss its use, and for local governments to support their constituents with consistent, science-based policy.

Bringing federal policy more in line with the realities on the ground doesn’t mean endorsing a free-for-all. Rescheduling cannabis to a Schedule III substance would not legalize recreational cannabis nationwide, nor would it override state laws. What it would do is give us better tools to understand the substance, offer clarity to patients, especially our veterans, and providers, and ease the burden on local governments caught in the middle of conflicting legal standards.

For rural areas like Alpena County, every policy decision matters, and consistency matters. Aligning state and federal rules will make it easier for public servants to do their jobs and for citizens to understand their rights and responsibilities. When laws are consistent, it reduces confusion for local officials and ensures that our law enforcement and healthcare providers can do their jobs without second-guessing legal gray areas. It also gives small businesses and local medical professionals the certainty they need to operate responsibly. For rural communities, this kind of alignment is about making government work better, with clarity, accountability, and respect for local control.

President Trump has made his support for the rescheduling of cannabis clear, and it is time for the bureaucracy to respect it. This isn’t about politics, it’s about practicality. For the sake of

Michiganders who need alternative treatment options, it’s time to responsibly move cannabis out of the Schedule I category and into a framework that just makes sense. Let’s give researchers the ability to do their work, doctors the freedom to give honest advice, and local governments the clarity they deserve.

Jesse Osmer is a never-you-mind old political junkie who loves old movies, states’ rights, and well-made cocktails. He has worked as Political Director to former US Representative Dan Benishek MD, Legislative Director to former State Representative Sue Allor, and has served on both Alpena City Council and the Alpena County Board of Commissioners.