Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the Biden administration is on the verge of reclassifying marijuana, shifting it from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III one, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of U.S. drug policies.
In contrast to Schedule I drugs, Schedule III substances are recognized to possess medical benefits while posing a lower risk of abuse. Sources news said the Drug Enforcement Administration is likely to greenlight a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services, paving the way for medical research on cannabis.
This decision follows President Biden’s directive to the HHS in 2022 to reassess the classification of marijuana. The proposed reclassification acknowledges marijuana as less addictive compared to its previous classification. However, it does not entail the federal legalization of recreational marijuana, leaving its legal status subject to state laws.
Bradley Cobb, the founder and CEO of Sunburn Cannabis, a medical marijuana facility in Florida, and a former lawyer and lobbyist, shared his mixed feelings about the development. He views it as validation of his belief that marijuana should be regulated similarly to other substances while also presenting an opportunity to destigmatize it.
Cobb sees potential benefits such as improved access to services for patients and regulatory reforms in areas like banking and taxation. He anticipates broader reforms in the future to bring transparency to transactions in the industry.
The decision aligns with a broader shift in public opinion. Over the past two decades, support for marijuana legalization has surged from 34% to 70% among Americans, with nearly half of U.S. states legalizing its recreational use.
Melba Pearson, director of prosecution projects at Florida International University and a former state prosecutor and ACLU deputy director, highlighted the reclassification’s implications for restorative justice. She pointed out that some states, notably California, are revisiting cannabis-related convictions, recognizing the injustice of penalizing individuals for actions that are now legal.
However, there are dissenting voices. Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), an opposition group, criticized the cannabis industry for promoting what it considers to be harmful products and accused the Biden administration of attempting to manipulate public opinion.
Despite opposition, experts suggest that the decision could garner political support, particularly among young and Black voters, especially in an election year. In Florida, where recreational marijuana remains prohibited, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on its legalization in November through the Amendment 3 ballot initiative.
