US Government Proposes Reclassifying Marijuana to a Lower Risk Category
The Biden administration proposes reclassifying marijuana, recognizing its medical use and lower abuse potential, aligning federal policy with state trends
Key Points
- 1Biden administration proposes reclassifying marijuana to schedule III
- 2The move acknowledges medical uses and lower abuse potential
- 3President Biden sees it as a step to correct past injustices
- 4Critics worry about potential negative consequences of rescheduling
- 5Cannabis industry growth contrasts with slower federal policy changes
In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration has proposed reclassifying marijuana from a schedule I to a schedule III drug under the US Controlled Substances Act. This move, announced by the US Attorney General, reflects a recognition of marijuana's medical uses and its lower potential for abuse compared to other schedule I substances like heroin and LSD. The proposed change is seen as a step towards aligning federal policy with the state-level legalization trends
President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of this reclassification, highlighting its potential to address past injustices related to marijuana convictions. "Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to righting those wrongs," Biden stated. This policy shift could also bolster support among younger voters, a critical demographic in the upcoming elections
Despite the federal government's slow adaptation to changing views on marijuana, many US states have already legalized its medical use, with 24 states also permitting recreational use. The cannabis industry has flourished under these state laws, reaching an estimated value of nearly $30 billion. Meanwhile, in Europe, the legal landscape remains more conservative, with countries like Germany and Portugal taking cautious steps toward decriminalizing personal use