Senators hail federal recommendation to ease restrictions on marijuana
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has delivered a recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration on marijuana policy, and Senate leaders hailed it Wednesday as a first step toward easing federal restrictions on the drug.
Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that his agency has responded to President Biden’s request “to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA.”
“We’ve worked to ensure that a scientific evaluation be completed and shared expeditiously,” he added.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said in a statement that Health and Human Services had recommended that marijuana be moved from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance.
“HHS has done the right thing,” Schumer (D-N.Y.) said. “DEA should now follow through on this important step to greatly reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.”
California’s legalization of recreational cannabis in 2016 ushered in a multibillion-dollar industry. But many of the promises of legalization have proved elusive.
Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. As a Schedule I drug, marijuana is currently classified alongside heroin and LSD.
According to the DEA, Schedule I drugs “have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.”
Schedule III drugs “have a potential for abuse less than substances in Schedules I or II and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.” They currently include ketamine and some anabolic steroids.
Biden requested the review in October 2022 as he pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law.
Biden urged governors to follow suit in his announcement, just weeks before elections that will decide whether Democrats retain control of Congress.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued a statement calling for marijuana to be completely descheduled.
“However, the recommendation of HHS to reschedule cannabis as a Schedule III drug is not inconsequential,” he added. “If HHS’s recommendation is ultimately implemented, it will be a historic step for a nation whose cannabis policies have been out of touch with reality.”
Bloomberg News first reported on the Health and Human Services Department recommendation.
In reaction to the Bloomberg report, the nonprofit U.S. Cannabis Council said: “We enthusiastically welcome today’s news. ... Rescheduling will have a broad range of benefits, including signaling to the criminal justice system that cannabis is a lower priority and providing a crucial economic lifeline to the cannabis industry.”
