At TYSON 2.0, we believe in freedom—the freedom to choose cannabis to heal, grow, and thrive. But across the United States, cannabis remains federally illegal. Even as millions of people use it every day in states where it’s been medically or recreationally legalized, outdated laws continue to stand in the way.
So why is cannabis still classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law? And what does that mean for patients, consumers, and the cannabis industry? In this article, we break down the roots of federal prohibition, the harm it continues to cause, and how we at TYSON 2.0—alongside Mike Tyson—are using our platform to keep the conversation moving forward.
The Current State of Federal Cannabis Legalization
Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I substance—the government’s strictest drug category. That means it’s considered to have:
- A high potential for abuse
- No accepted medical use
- No accepted safety for use under medical supervision
This classification was introduced in 1970 during the Nixon administration—not as a result of science, but as part of a political strategy tied to the War on Drugs.
Despite decades of research, patient success stories, and widespread state-level legalization, the federal government hasn’t updated its stance. As a result, cannabis remains more restricted than Schedule II drugs like cocaine and meth.
That’s not just outdated—it’s dangerous.
Why Is Cannabis Still a Schedule I Drug?
Cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I substance, which means the federal government considers it to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. That classification has blocked progress for decades—and changing it is harder than you might think.
There are only two main ways cannabis can be removed or rescheduled:
1. Congress would have to pass a new law to amend the Controlled Substances Act.
2. The DEA could reschedule it, but only after a formal medical and scientific review by the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Both options have hit roadblocks
Even with growing public support and expanding state legalization, politics have slowed everything down. For years, cannabis reform has been stuck in a tug-of-war between outdated stigma and modern science. Lawmakers are divided, federal agencies move slowly, and the system is weighed down by decades of misinformation.
To make things more difficult, we’re trapped in a cycle: Cannabis needs more research to be rescheduled, but its Schedule I status makes that research nearly impossible to do.
Despite the roadblocks, there’s already strong evidence showing cannabis helps with:
- Chronic pain
- Epilepsy
- PTSD
- Cancer-related symptoms like nausea and appetite loss
- Anxiety and sleep issues
- Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions
But the federal government continues to ignore what science—and 39 medical states and 24 recreational states—have already recognized.
This isn’t just about science anymore—it’s about politics. And until that changes, real reform will remain out of reach.
The Real-World Impact of Federal Cannabis Prohibition
The consequences of cannabis being federally illegal aren’t just legal—they’re deeply personal and economic. Here’s how federal prohibition affects people across the country:
1. Patients Are Denied Medical Access
Millions of patients who could benefit from cannabis are left without options. In prohibition states, cannabis can’t be prescribed or purchased legally—even when it may improve symptoms or prevent suffering. In legal states, patients still face high costs, limited access, and no insurance coverage, all because of federal law.
2. Consumers Face Legal Confusion
Federal prohibition creates a state-by-state patchwork that confuses and criminalizes consumers. In one state, buying cannabis from a dispensary is legal. A short drive away, you could be arrested for possession. No other legal product carries this kind of risk and inconsistency.
3. Cannabis Businesses Are Held Back
Running a cannabis company under federal prohibition means:
- No access to traditional banking
- No eligibility for tax deductions under IRS code 280E
- Barriers to loans, insurance, and investment
This puts cannabis operators—especially small and minority-owned businesses—at a massive disadvantage. The cannabis industry is legal, but it’s not treated like it.
4. Industry Workers Lack Protection
Budtenders, growers, delivery drivers, trimmers, marketers—they all keep the cannabis economy running. But without federal legalization, many workers operate in legal gray areas. That affects job security, benefits, and protections, and blocks labor rights from evolving in step with the industry.
5. Research Is Nearly Impossible
Because cannabis is a Schedule I drug, researchers face long delays, bureaucratic restrictions, and limited access to usable cannabis. That blocks progress in understanding the plant’s full medical potential, and keeps the U.S. behind countries like Israel and Canada in cannabis science.
If we want a modern, evidence-based policy, we need to let the research happen.
6. It’s a Missed Economic Opportunity
Cannabis is already a multi-billion-dollar industry, but we’re leaving billions more on the table. Federal legalization could:
- Add hundreds of thousands of jobs
- Generate billions in tax revenue
- Allow small and minority-owned businesses to compete nationally
- Fund restorative justice and equity programs in impacted communities
We’re not just talking about access—we’re talking about building an inclusive and thriving economy.
Why Mike Tyson and TYSON 2.0 Are Advocating for Cannabis Reform
At TYSON 2.0, we’re here to facilitate, to educate, and to advocate for real change. Mike Tyson knows firsthand how cannabis can help manage pain and support a better quality of life. That’s why he’s using his platform to stand up for policy change. So, join us in these efforts, and let’s allow the plant to do what it was always meant to do: heal and elevate.
