Should it be Legalized? | Global News

In a groundbreaking move, the Justice Department announced on Thursday its plans to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, marking a significant shift in US drug policy. The proposed rule, approved by Attorney General Merrick Garland, recognises the medical benefits of cannabis and acknowledges its lower potential for abuse compared to other dangerous drugs.

If approved, marijuana would be moved from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, to a Schedule III substance, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids. This move comes after a recommendation from the federal Health and Human Services Department, following President Joe Biden’s urging for a review of the drug’s status.

President Biden, in a video statement, hailed the decision as monumental and a step towards rectifying the injustices caused by the failed approach to marijuana. The announcement could also help boost Biden’s support, particularly among younger voters.

While the reclassification process will involve a 60-day comment period and potential review by an administrative judge, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer and the US Cannabis Council have applauded the change and called for further steps towards legalisation.

However, not everyone is in favor of the reclassification. Critics, like Dr Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, argue that there isn’t enough scientific data to support moving marijuana to Schedule III and that politics, not science, is driving the decision.

Despite the reclassification, marijuana will still be a controlled substance subject to regulations, and federal prosecutions for simple possession have been rare in recent years. The move is seen as a significant step towards aligning federal drug policy with the growing acceptance and decriminalisation of marijuana at the state level.