Proposal to Reclassify Marijuana Due to Decreased Health Risk
- Federal health officials have recommended loosening restrictions on marijuana, citing a lower public health risk compared to other controlled substances. The Department of Health and Human Services released a scientific review supporting this recommendation and acknowledging credible scientific support for the medical use of marijuana.
- Marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug for over 60 years, a classification that has been a subject of criticism. It implies that the substance has high abuse potential and no medical use. The federal officials have proposed reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug, a category that includes substances like anabolic steroids, ketamine, and testosterone which can be obtained with a prescription.
- The analysis by the Food and Drug Administration found that cannabis use disorder (defined as psychological dependence) ranges from 10% to 20% in regular users. This is lower than the rates for tobacco, opiates, and alcohol.
Federal Health Officials Suggest Lightening Marijuana Restrictions
(NewsNation) Federal health officials propose to soften marijuana restrictions, considering it poses lesser public health risks than other regulated substances.
The Department of Health and Human Services unveiled an in-depth scientific review on Friday, citing credible scientific backing for marijuana’s medical use, a first in public acknowledgment.
Marijuana, classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act for over six decades, is equated with heroin and MDMA. This classification has met with criticism as marijuana, legal for medicinal use in 38 states, is among the most widely used drugs in the U.S.
Federal officials suggest reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug, placing it in the same level as prescription substances such as anabolic steroids, ketamine, and testosterone.
A Food and Drug Administration analysis revealed that cannabis use disorder rates between 10% to 20% among regular users. This rate is lower than that of tobacco, opiates, and alcohol.
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