The United States is poised to downgrade marijuana to a less harmful drug classification, according to a source close to the matter who spoke on Tuesday, marking a significant move toward reducing the stigma around the substance and those who use it.
The US Department of Justice plans to propose a reclassification of marijuana to the White House on Tuesday, said the source, who preferred to remain unnamed.
Despite its widespread use and legalization in numerous US states, cannabis remains illegal under federal law, which often goes unenforced.
Currently, federal law categorizes marijuana as a schedule 1 substance, alongside drugs like heroin, ecstasy, and LSD, indicating it has no recognized medical benefits and a high risk of abuse.
However, under the new recommendation, it would be reclassified as a schedule 3 substance, which includes drugs such as ketamine and codeine-containing pain relievers, recognized for having a moderate to low risk of dependency, the source noted.
“This marks the next phase in the official process of rescheduling,” the source commented.
Cannabis has turned into a multibillion-dollar industry in the US, with over half the states, including major ones like California and New York, legalizing its recreational and medicinal use.
President Joe Biden has also granted pardons to thousands of Americans convicted of cannabis possession.
Furthermore, supporting marijuana legalization could prove politically beneficial for Biden, as surveys indicate increasing support for the policy, particularly among the youth, a demographic where the President is keen to bolster enthusiasm.
© Agence France-Presse
