The US Department of Health and Human Services has submitted a recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration regarding marijuana policy. Senate leaders praised this as a positive first step towards loosening federal restrictions on the drug. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced on Twitter that the agency has fulfilled President Biden’s request for a scheduling recommendation on marijuana to the DEA. Becerra emphasized the importance of completing a scientific evaluation and sharing the results promptly.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer commended HHS for recommending that marijuana be reclassified from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. He stated that the DEA should now take action to reduce the harm caused by strict marijuana laws. Rescheduling the drug would potentially eliminate or lessen criminal penalties for possession. Currently, marijuana is categorized as a Schedule I drug, along with heroin and LSD.
According to the DEA, Schedule I drugs are deemed to have no accepted medical use in the US, lack accepted safety for medical supervision, and have a high potential for abuse. On the other hand, Schedule III drugs have a lower potential for abuse compared to substances in Schedules I or II, and abuse may result in moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Examples of Schedule III drugs include ketamine and certain anabolic steroids.
President Biden requested this review in October 2022 while pardoning numerous individuals who were convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law. Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat, expressed his support for completely descheduling marijuana in a statement. He acknowledged the significance of HHS’s recommendation to reschedule it as a Schedule III drug, stating that it represents a historic step for a country whose cannabis policies have been disconnected from reality. The US Cannabis Council, a nonprofit organization, welcomed the news with enthusiasm and highlighted the various benefits of rescheduling, such as signaling to the criminal justice system that cannabis should be a lower priority and providing vital economic support to the cannabis industry.
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