Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Apr 23: In a major policy shift, the US Department of Justice has moved to ease federal restrictions on medical marijuana products licensed by states, reclassifying them from Schedule I to Schedule III in a significant step towards reforming long-standing drug laws.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the order on Thursday, lowering the regulatory classification for medical marijuana products approved by the Food and Drug Administration or operating under state licences.
Describing the move as a boost for scientific research and patient care, Blanche said the decision would enable deeper study into the safety and effectiveness of marijuana-based treatments.
“This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information,” he said.
Under US law, Schedule I drugs are considered to have no accepted medical use and high abuse potential, a category that includes substances such as heroin and LSD. Schedule III drugs are subject to less stringent controls and are considered to have moderate to low dependence risk.
While the move does not legalise marijuana at the federal level, it is expected to ease regulatory burdens on the medical cannabis industry and facilitate greater research.
The Justice Department also announced it was expediting the hearing process for broader reclassification of marijuana under federal law, with the Drug Enforcement Administration set to hold an administrative hearing on June 29.
The development follows an executive action by President Donald Trump in December aimed at advancing a reclassification process initiated during the previous Biden administration.
Former President Joe Biden had in 2022 directed the Department of Health and Human Services to review marijuana’s classification, and the agency later recommended shifting it to Schedule III. A proposed rule in 2024, however, had remained pending.
Marijuana is currently legal for medical or recreational use in 45 US states, and public support for legalisation has risen sharply over the past two decades.
The latest move is being seen as a significant milestone in the evolving US approach towards cannabis regulation, with implications for research, industry operations and patient access.