Breaking News: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to Reclassify Marijuana as Less Dangerous Drug

In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, paving the way for potential reforms in the country's drug policy. This historic shift comes amidst growing support for legalizing marijuana and recognizing its medical benefits.

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is set to make a monumental shift in American drug policy by reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. This move, confirmed by Fox News, marks a significant step towards recognizing the medicinal value of cannabis and potentially reforming decades-old drug laws.

The planned reclassification, if implemented, would acknowledge the medical benefits of marijuana and its lower potential for abuse compared to other highly controlled substances. However, it does not indicate the full legalization of recreational marijuana use.

The Biden administration's proposed move comes during an election year, raising questions about its potential political implications. Nonetheless, it reflects the growing momentum for marijuana legalization and the need for a more compassionate approach to drug policy.

Attorney General Merrick Garland is expected to submit the proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as early as today, according to a Biden administration official. The Department of Justice declined to comment on the matter.

Upon publication in the Federal Register, the rule change will initiate a formal rulemaking process mandated by the Controlled Substances Act. This process will provide an opportunity for public comment and scrutiny before the rule becomes final.

The reclassification of marijuana would mean that it would no longer be classified as a Schedule I restricted substance. The DEA currently lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and peyote, indicating its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use.

Under the proposed change, marijuana would be moved to a lower schedule, potentially Schedule III, which includes drugs with a lower potential for misuse but still require a prescription. This would represent a significant shift in the DEA's stance on marijuana and its potential use in medical treatments.

The reclassification of marijuana has been advocated by many, including Senator John Fetterman (D-Penn.). Fetterman has emphasized the importance of making marijuana safe, pure, taxed, and accessible, arguing that unregulated, illegally obtained marijuana poses potential health risks.

Fetterman has also called on President Biden to deschedule marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, completely removing it from the DEA's list of controlled substances. This would effectively legalize marijuana at the federal level.

The DEA's proposed reclassification of marijuana has garnered mixed reactions. Some view it as a positive step towards recognizing the medical value of cannabis and ending the criminalization of users. Others express concerns about the potential for increased marijuana use and related health risks.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 24 states, Washington, D.C., and two U.S. territories have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults. Additionally, 37 states have legalized medical marijuana use.

The DEA's reclassification of marijuana is expected to have wide-ranging implications for the drug policy landscape in the United States. It could lead to the reduction of marijuana-related arrests and convictions, the expansion of medical marijuana programs, and increased research into the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis.