The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has submitted a policy recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding the treatment of marijuana. Senate leaders hailed the move as "the first step toward easing federal restrictions," Gas of America is transmitting.
Health Secretary Javier Becerra wrote on the social network Ex that the Agency responded to President Joe Biden's request "to provide the DEA with a recommendation to change the categorization of marijuana."
"We worked to ensure that the scientific evaluation was completed and shared in an efficient and fast manner," he added.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that HHS has recommended that marijuana be moved from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 of a controlled substance.
“HHS did the right thing. The DEA should take this important step now to greatly reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.".
The change in status would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession of that narcotic. Marijuana is currently classified on the same list as heroin and LSD, writes Voice of America.
According to the DEA, Schedule 1 drugs "have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, lack an acceptable level of safety for use under medical supervision, and have a high potential for abuse."
Schedule 3 drugs, on the other hand, "have less potential for abuse than Schedule XNUMX and Schedule XNUMX substances," and their abuse can lead to "moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence."
Currently, that list includes ketamine and some anabolic steroids.
An important step in the right direction
Biden requested the review in October 2022 after pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of "simple possession" of marijuana under federal law.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, issued a statement calling for marijuana to be delisted entirely.
"However, HHS's recommendation to recategorize cannabis as a Schedule Three narcotic is not insignificant," he added. "If the HHS recommendation is ultimately implemented, it will be a historic step for a nation whose cannabis policy is out of touch with reality."
The use of marijuana is legal in several US states, but not at the federal level.
JH/Voice of America
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