DOJ Plans to Reclassify Marijuana From Schedule I to Lower-Risk Schedule III Drug
On April 30, 2024, following a months-long process, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) circulated a proposal to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. This historic move—likely the most substantial change to federal drug policy in more than fifty years—would place marijuana amongst the likes of acetaminophen with codeine, some anabolic steroids, testosterone, and ketamine, unlike when it previously resided on Schedule I alongside substances such as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.
The DOJ will send the proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. While any reclassification is months from taking effect (and may become embroiled in litigation), the cultural significance of this move toward easing federal restrictions on marijuana is massive, and there are many legal issues to unpack.
