Outdated Drug Policy Is Making Law Enforcement’s Jobs Harder

By Justin Harris

Law enforcement is all about making tough calls about how to protect the public with the amount of time, staffing, and resources allotted. We understand it’s impossible to tackle everything all at once. We have to prioritize what actually threatens community safety.

That reality is what’s creating a shift within law enforcement when it comes to federal policy on marijuana. More police chiefs, sheriffs, and prosecutors are supporting the federal government's move to reschedule marijuana, not as a political statement, but as a practical step forward. After more than two decades in law enforcement here in Arizona, and as a former president of the Arizona Police Association, I’ve seen how federal policies directly affect the work officers do every day.

For decades, cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin. That classification states marijuana has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. From a law enforcement perspective, that placement is no longer accurate or based in reality.

Across the country, most states have legalized cannabis in some form. Millions of Americans use it legally under state law, yet officers and departments are left navigating conflicting federal, state, and local rules. The consequences are shown in how officers’ time is used.

When officers are tied up handling low-level marijuana offenses, that’s time taken away from working on violent crime, human trafficking, and the fentanyl crisis that’s devastating families across Arizona and the nation. In 2023 alone, over 2,600 Arizonans died from drug overdoses, a rate higher than the U.S. average and largely driven by illicit opioids like fentanyl.

Ask anyone in law enforcement. Departments are stretched thin, violent crime remains a concern, and overdoses continue to rise. Policy should help us focus on those threats, not pull us away from them.

Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III wouldn’t legalize it or remove law enforcement oversight. Schedule III simply allows marijuana to be controlled and researched properly, bringing federal policy closer to reality and allowing law enforcement to prioritize real violent crimes.

That clarity also matters when it comes to illegal markets. The disconnect between state legalization and federal policy creates opportunities for illegal markets and more cartel activity. When regulated access is blocked, illegal sellers dominate. Local bans essentially create “economic safe zones” for traffickers. The 2022 Leafly Opt-Out Report, found that “states with less than one store per 100,000 residents remain dominated by the illegal street market,” meaning that where legal access is nonexistent, illicit sellers remain dominant.

Rescheduling marijuana would help correct that imbalance. When legal operators can compete fairly, regulators gain resources, compliance improves, and law enforcement can focus on shutting down truly dangerous operations rather than policing gray areas.

This issue also matters on a personal level for many in uniform.

Police officers, firefighters, veterans, and other first responders experience high rates of PTSD and job-related trauma. Many find relief through cannabis-based treatments, but federal restrictions continue to limit research, access, and medical guidance, especially for federal employees and service members.

I’ve spoken publicly with leaders across the country, including at rallies and public safety events, about the need for policies that help the men and women wearing the badge do their jobs. This is one of those issues.

Rescheduling wouldn’t solve every problem, but it would open the door to better research, clearer medical guidance, and more honest conversations about treatment options for those who spend their careers protecting others. Let’s get something clear. Supporting rescheduling is not about encouraging drug use. It’s about acknowledging that the current system isn’t working anymore. Federal policy has limited law enforcement resources, encouraged illegal drug markets, and complicated cooperation between agencies.

Organizations like Law Enforcement Action Partnership and Law Enforcement Leaders have recognized this reality and formally support rescheduling. Their position highlights the increased acknowledgement of common-sense drug policy can and will improve public safety.

We already know how to regulate substances responsibly. We do it all the time with alcohol and prescription drugs. With cannabis, rescheduling would allow for consistent oversight, improved safety standards, and evidence-based policy all while giving law enforcement the tools needed to protect communities.

After years on the job, I’ve learned that good policing isn’t about clinging to outdated rules. It’s about adapting to facts, using resources wisely, and focusing on what truly keeps people safe.

Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III is a practical, science-based step forward. It’s not political. It’s professional. And for law enforcement, including here in Arizona, it’s long overdue.

Justin Harris is the immediate past president of the Arizona Police Association