Federal scientists across several public health agencies have determined that marijuana is not as risky or prone to abuse as other tightly controlled substances, recommending that restrictions on the substance be loosened at the federal level.
The revelation comes from a 250-page scientific review provided to Matthew Zorn, a Texas lawyer who sued the Department of Health and Human Services for documentation regarding marijuana’s drug classification.
Recommended Stories
The Drug Enforcement Agency since 1970 has classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug, meaning that the substance has no medical use and a high potential for abuse. Other Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.
HHS officials confirmed for the New York Times the veracity of documents posted by Zorn to social media late Friday night.
Research scientists with the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse have recommended to the DEA that marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug, making it a control substance that is available by prescription, similar to ketamine and testosterone.
The review referenced the “scientific support” for therapeutic uses of marijuana, such as treating chronic pain and nausea related to chemotherapy.
Although, in rare cases, prolonged marijuana use can lead to physical and psychological dependence, federal scientists concluded in the report that “the likelihood of serious outcomes is low.”
Federal officials stipulated, however, that the analysis is not meant to suggest FDA approval for the safety and efficacy of marijuana as a medical treatment.
President Joe Biden called on public health agencies to “expeditiously” re-evaluate marijuana classifications in October 2022, at which time he also issued pardons for those with federal marijuana possession charges.
In December, Biden again pardoned those who had been convicted of simple possession charges and use of marijuana on federal property.
The DEA rejected a petition in 2016 to reschedule marijuana, citing that there was not enough evidence for the medicinal use of the substance and a high potential for abuse.
Marijuana is legal for medical use in 38 states and has been legalized for recreational use in two dozen states and territories, including Maryland.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The DEA has the final authority to make changes to marijuana’s federal scheduling guidelines. Any changes will require the agency to go through the formal rulemaking process, which requires a period of public comment before the action is finalized.
In 2021, an estimated 52 million people in the United States reported using marijuana at least once in their lives. Approximately 36 million reported utilizing the substance in the previous month.
