The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is set to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, marking a significant shift in American drug policy. This move, which still requires review by the White House Office of Management and Budget, acknowledges the medical benefits of cannabis and its lower potential for abuse compared to more dangerous substances. However, it does not legalize marijuana for recreational use.
The proposal, once approved, will move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, alongside substances like ketamine and some anabolic steroids. This decision follows a recommendation from the federal Health and Human Services Department and will undergo a public comment period before final implementation.
Attorney General Merrick Garland is expected to sign the proposal, signaling the Justice Department's support for the change. President Joe Biden's call for a review of federal marijuana laws in 2022 and efforts to pardon individuals convicted of marijuana possession have paved the way for this decision.
The move comes amid growing bipartisan support for marijuana reform, with a majority of adults in favor of legalization. While marijuana will remain a controlled substance under Schedule III, the shift could have implications for the criminal justice system and the burgeoning marijuana industry.
Advocates argue that rescheduling marijuana will correct decades of discriminatory policies, while critics express concerns about potential negative effects, such as increased drug use. The decision could also impact international obligations, including the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which mandates cannabis criminalization.
Overall, the DEA's move to reclassify marijuana reflects evolving attitudes towards the drug and could have far-reaching consequences for drug policy in the United States.
