Cannabis is currently classified along with drugs like heroin and LSD. The administration is expected to reschedule it in a category that reflects its medical benefits and lower risk profile. This move comes after years of advocacy and changing attitudes towards the plant.
The DEA has reportedly agreed to reschedule cannabis under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, in accordance with the FDA's recognition of its medical value. This decision could have far-reaching implications for the cannabis industry and patients who rely on the plant for treatment.
AP is reporting that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III pending OMB approval, marking a significant shift in federal drug policy. This change could open up new research opportunities and access to medical cannabis for patients in need.
The Biden administration moved Tuesday to reclassify marijuana as a lower-risk substance, a person familiar with the plans told CNN, signaling a departure from the outdated views on cannabis that have long stigmatized the plant.
Armentano cautioned, however, that reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III substance would not immediately address the growing chasm between state and federal cannabis laws. While this move is a step in the right direction, more comprehensive reform is needed to fully resolve the issue.
Drug Enforcement Administration will propose moving drug from a Schedule I substance, which also includes heroin and methamphetamine, to Schedule III, acknowledging the changing landscape of cannabis policy in the United States.
The federal government's plan would recategorize pot, once deemed highly dangerous, addictive and without medical use, as a prescribable medication with recognized therapeutic benefits. This shift in classification could pave the way for increased research and access to cannabis-based treatments.
The US Justice Department has recommended that cannabis be reclassified as less risk, a decision that could help the growing legal cannabis industry and patients seeking alternative treatments for various medical conditions.
The proposed change acknowledges the medical applications of marijuana, recognizing its potential to provide relief for patients suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, PTSD, and other conditions. This move could lead to greater acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate form of medicine.
