Reclassifying marijuana as a less hazardous substance would be a historic move that would put federal policy more in line with public opinion, and US President Joe Biden’s administration publicly requested it on Thursday.
“No one should be in jail merely for using or possessing marijuana. Period,” Biden said in a video statement.
“Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to righting those wrongs.”
Since 1970, marijuana has been categorized by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) as a “Schedule I” substance, placing it on the same level as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD. With that categorization, it is considered to have a high potential for misuse and no recognized medical purpose.
The idea, however, would downgrade it to a Schedule III substance, putting it in the same class as drugs like codeine-containing pharmaceuticals and ketamine, which are believed to have a moderate to low risk of dependency.
That might lead to fewer federal arrests, even if it wouldn’t make it legal.
The Biden administration first proposed reclassifying cannabis at the end of April, and the Justice Department formally started the process on Thursday.
Until the procedure is finished, which involves a public comment period and a possible court hearing, marijuana will remain a controlled substance.
Biden was the first president to call for a federal review of marijuana laws in 2022.
