Federal government moves to reclassify marijuana as less dangerous drug

The federal government has formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The Drug and Enforcement Administration filed paperwork on Thursday that triggers a 60-day public comment period, before the new scheduling takes place.That move would take marijuana from a scheduled one to a Schedule 3 drug, but what does all that mean?An important thing to note is the proposal doesn’t nationally legalize it for recreational use. However, the proposed changes would amount to significant changes to federal marijuana law moving forward. “Way too many people are incarcerated because of simple possession or use of marijuana,” Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said.On Thursday, President Joe Biden issued a message from the White House.”Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to writing those wrongs,” Biden said. As the commander-in-chief, the justice department looks to reclassify marijuana. “Of course, class one to class three shift is a significant one. Class one substances are typically like heroin and LSD, which have no medical uses and they have a high potential for addiction. It’s also a historic one because now this will allow more research to happen for marijuana. It will also potentially allow for drug development,” Gupta said. The director says this is also a move to level the playing field of those who have been convicted in the past of marijuana use.”We also know when that happens, that conviction carries with you and your family for the rest of your life. So, people can get their life back. They can get a level playing field and move forward,” Gupta said.Some community members are also on board with the reclassification.”It will elevate a lot of problems with the present system having someone in there for something petty like that — there’s not much they can do about the people who served time, but it could be a lot more lenient,” Wilson Berger of Lancaster said. Looking ahead, Gupta says there will be a 30-day period for the public to place comments, then the administrative law judge will make a recommendation to the attorney general, who will make the final ruling.

The federal government has formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

The Drug and Enforcement Administration filed paperwork on Thursday that triggers a 60-day public comment period, before the new scheduling takes place.

That move would take marijuana from a scheduled one to a Schedule 3 drug, but what does all that mean?

An important thing to note is the proposal doesn’t nationally legalize it for recreational use. However, the proposed changes would amount to significant changes to federal marijuana law moving forward.

“Way too many people are incarcerated because of simple possession or use of marijuana,” Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden issued a message from the White House.

“Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to writing those wrongs,” Biden said.

As the commander-in-chief, the justice department looks to reclassify marijuana.

“Of course, class one to class three shift is a significant one. Class one substances are typically like heroin and LSD, which have no medical uses and they have a high potential for addiction. It’s also a historic one because now this will allow more research to happen for marijuana. It will also potentially allow for drug development,” Gupta said.

The director says this is also a move to level the playing field of those who have been convicted in the past of marijuana use.

“We also know when that happens, that conviction carries with you and your family for the rest of your life. So, people can get their life back. They can get a level playing field and move forward,” Gupta said.

Some community members are also on board with the reclassification.

“It will elevate a lot of problems with the present system having someone in there for something petty like that — there’s not much they can do about the people who served time, but it could be a lot more lenient,” Wilson Berger of Lancaster said.

Looking ahead, Gupta says there will be a 30-day period for the public to place comments, then the administrative law judge will make a recommendation to the attorney general, who will make the final ruling.

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