WASHINGTON — The U.S. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has made a proposal to the Drug Enforcement Administration on marijuana policy, which Senate leaders applauded on Wednesday as a first step towards loosening federal marijuana regulations.
On Wednesday, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the department had answered President Joe Biden’s request “to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA.”
“We’ve worked hard to ensure that a scientific evaluation is completed and shared as soon as possible,” he added.
In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that HHS had recommended that marijuana be reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III.
“HHS has done the right thing,” said Schumer, D-N.Y. “The DEA should now take this critical step to significantly reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.”
Criminal sanctions for possession would be reduced or eliminated if the drug was rescheduled. Marijuana, heroin and LSD are currently classed as Schedule I substances.
The U.S. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has made a proposal to the Drug Enforcement Administration on marijuana policy.
Schedule I medications, according to the DEA, “have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.”
Schedule III drugs “have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I or II substances, and abuse may result in moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.” Ketamine and anabolic steroids are currently among them.
In October 2022, Biden ordered the study while pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law.
Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued a statement urging marijuana to be entirely rescheduled. “However, HHS’s recommendation to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug is not insignificant,” he continued. “If HHS’s recommendation is ultimately implemented, it will be a historic step for a nation whose cannabis policies have been out of touch with reality.”
Bloomberg News first published the HHS recommendation.
The nonprofit U.S. Cannabis Council responded to the Bloomberg report by saying, “We enthusiastically welcome today’s news.” Rescheduling will have many benefits, including signaling to the criminal justice system that cannabis is a lesser priority and giving the cannabis business a critical economic lifeline.”
SOURCE – (AP)
