In a landmark move, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has proposed reclassifying “botanical cannabis” from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance under the US Controlled Substances Act, as reported by the Associated Press. This decision, following an endorsement from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), marks a significant shift in federal drug policy, suggesting a reduced perception of cannabis’s danger and a recognition of its medical uses.
The reclassification initiative, first urged by the Biden Administration in October 2022, signifies the first presidential request of its kind. Schedule I substances, which include drugs like heroin, are defined by their high abuse potential and lack of accepted medical use. The move to Schedule III, which includes drugs like ketamine and anabolic steroids, recognizes that cannabis may be safely prescribed for medical use and possesses a lower potential for abuse.
Many in the cannabis industry have expressed relief at the prospect of loosening financial restrictions associated with the plant’s Schedule I status. However, others have pointed out potential issues related to Schedule III that could become problems for brands operating in state-legal markets, as well as the fact that Schedule III status does not inherently benefit those
