The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday unveiled a move to change the federal status of marijuana, proposing to reclassify it from Schedule I to Schedule III, ABC News reported.
The Biden administration has filed a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” with the Federal Register seeking to reclassify marijuana. according to To ABC. If approved, this adjustment would reduce federal penalties related to marijuana possession. The proposal is currently undergoing a 60-day public comment period. After this period, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator can select an administrative law judge to evaluate the evidence and issue a final recommendation regarding the marijuana use schedule.
Justice Department officially moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in historic shift https://t.co/ZmDFxxOXYV
— KING 5 News (@KING5 Seattle) May 16, 2024
President Joe Biden expressed support for the proposal and emphasized its role in righting past injustices related to marijuana laws.
“Guys, no one should go to jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Period,” he said in a video posted to Twitter. “Too many lives have been ruined by failed approaches to marijuana, and I am committed to righting those wrongs.”
Too many lives have been turned upside down because our approach to marijuana has failed.
So today, @mayu_1212 is taking the next step in reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law.
Here’s what that means: pic.twitter.com/TMztSyyFYm
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 16, 2024
Since its enactment in 1971, the Controlled Substances Act has classified marijuana alongside highly dangerous drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine. The DEA classifies Schedule III drugs as having a moderate to low risk of physical and psychological dependence. According to ABC News, such drugs include ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone. (Related: Prime Minister opposes cannabis legalization as crime rises after decriminalization)
In October, the White House directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to evaluate the possibility of reintroducing marijuana use.
“In 2023, HHS conducted a scientific and medical evaluation of marijuana based on a comprehensive review of the data available at the time and recommended that marijuana be moved to Schedule III,” the proposed rule states. ABC News reported. After thoroughly reviewing the available scientific and medical data, HHS recommended that marijuana be reclassified as Schedule III in 2023.
