In a historic shift, the U.S. moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, AP sources say. This move comes as a significant step towards reforming current drug policies that have long been criticized for their impact on communities and individuals. The proposed change has the potential to set up a contrast between Biden and Trump, who has shown little interest in engaging with federal cannabis reform.
It's important to note that this reclassification does not equate to federal legalization or even decriminalization of marijuana. However, it does allow state-sanctioned cannabis businesses to take advantage of normal business practices and potentially benefit from sweeping tax breaks.
The DEA's proposal to move marijuana to a Schedule III drug could give sweeping tax breaks to pot businesses, which could have a significant impact on the billion-dollar cannabis industry in states like Illinois. This move would essentially leave federal pot prohibition untouched, but it opens up new opportunities for legal cannabis businesses to thrive.