DOJ Proposes Reclassifying Marijuana as Schedule III Drug in Historic Shift

May 16, 2024, 05:13 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally proposed a new rule on Thursday to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. This significant policy shift, endorsed by the Biden administration, marks a historic shift in U.S. drug policy and aims to ease federal restrictions on cannabis, acknowledging its medical uses and lower abuse potential. The reclassification would place marijuana in the same category as ketamine and anabolic steroids, rather than alongside heroin and LSD. If enacted, this change would also facilitate more research on the medicinal benefits of marijuana. The proposal is subject to a 60-day public comment period and requires final approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).