U.S. Senator James Lankford is urging the United States Postal Service to maintain its prohibition on mailing marijuana, raising concerns about interstate shipments and children’s access to cannabis products.
Lankford and U.S. Senator Ted Budd sent a letter to Postmaster General Steiner following what the senators described as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s reclassification of medical marijuana as a Schedule III controlled substance.
The senators said they are concerned the Postal Service could change its mailing rules in response. Their letter pointed to actions by Georgia’s Access to Medical Cannabis Commission declaring that medical marijuana could be shipped through USPS and private carriers.
“While Georgia does not have the authority to alter current USPS regulations, we are concerned that USPS will alter its regulations to allow for these shipments,” the senators wrote. “We strongly oppose any effort to allow the shipment of marijuana.”
The letter also questioned whether state licensing systems provide adequate safeguards. Lankford and Budd cited Oklahoma’s marijuana industry while expressing concern that products from state-licensed businesses could enter illegal markets across state lines.
The senators argued that allowing marijuana shipments could increase children’s access and facilitate deliveries into states that have not legalized marijuana.
“We look forward to continuing this conversation as USPS considers the impact of the final rule and urge USPS to maintain its current regulation that prohibits the shipment of marijuana,” they wrote.
Lankford has opposed marijuana rescheduling and introduced legislation this year to prevent marijuana businesses from claiming federal tax deductions and credits following the change.
