President Joe Biden has officially announced an official proposal to reclassify marijuana from “Schedule I” to the less severe “Schedule III” under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This decision marks a significant change in U.S. drug policy and aims to correct historical injustices that have disproportionately impacted communities and ethnic minorities.
In a video on social media, Biden describes this measure as “monumental.” He stressed that the proposal is an important step towards eliminating the long-standing inequalities caused by previous drug policies. “No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Period,” the president said, reaffirming his commitment to correcting these wrongs.
What happens now?
The proposed rule, which is soon to be published in the Federal Register, will be followed by a 60-day public comment period before it possibly becomes final. This opens up for a broad discussion and possible adjustment of the decision based on the opinions of the public and experts.
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her support in a separate video, recalling that marijuana was previously classified at the same level as heroin and is considered more dangerous than fentanyl. “We’re finally changing that. I want to thank all the advocates and everyone who helped make this possible, and we are on our way to getting it done,” she said.
The reform has provoked strong reactions. Many proponents welcome the reclassification, which recognizes cannabis’ medicinal value and relatively low addiction risk, something that the majority of states have already recognized through legalization in some form. At the same time, activists stress that this reclassification does not imply federal legalization or legal relief for those criminalized because of the substance.
Actually, it is the director of the DEA, Anne Milgram, who should have formally done this. But perhaps to speed things up, the proposal instead comes from the president via the Justice Department. A process of administrative hearing is now being initiated to obtain further input before the decision is finalized. The public comment period is expected to draw a lot of attention, given the broad support for comprehensive legalization and the different perspectives on the appropriateness of a classification such as Schedule III.
Medical and scientific benefits
The reclassification of cannabis will facilitate research into its medicinal uses. In the past, researchers have faced major obstacles due to cannabis’ status as a Schedule I drug, which has made it difficult to conduct scientific studies. The new classification will make it easier to conduct research and may lead to new medical discoveries.
Economic impact
For the cannabis industry, the reclassification represents a potential relief from heavy tax burdens and limited access to banking services. Companies in the cannabis industry have previously been unable to deduct common business expenses due to the previous classification. This move is expected to reduce incentives for the black market and promote a safer and more regulated industry.