The US Department of Justice has officially reclassified certain marijuana products as less dangerous, moving them from a Schedule I narcotic to a Schedule III drug. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the change on Thursday, April 18, 2024, stating that the move aligns with President Trump's promise to expand Americans' access to medical treatment options.
Key Takeaways
The US Department of Justice reclassified certain marijuana products as Schedule III drugs, moving them from Schedule I. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the change on April 18, 2024, which applies to FDA-approved products or those with state medical-marijuana licenses.
- DOJ reclassifies specific marijuana products as less dangerous
- Change applies to FDA-approved and state-licensed medical marijuana
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the decision on April 18, 2024
- June 2024 hearing scheduled for broader rescheduling consideration
The reclassification applies specifically to products containing marijuana that are either approved by the Food and Drug Administration or have received a state medical-marijuana license. This change is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to increase medical marijuana research, as outlined in an executive order issued on December 18, 2023.
Blanche also ordered that a hearing be held in June 2024 as part of a rule-making process to consider reclassifying all marijuana more broadly. This move has been met with mixed reactions, angering some of Trump's closest Republican allies while being welcomed by others as a step toward expanding medical research and treatment options.
The Department of Justice emphasized that the reclassification provides immediate clarity to researchers, patients, and providers while maintaining strict federal controls against illicit drug trafficking. The change is expected to lower longstanding barriers that have made it difficult for researchers to study cannabis in clinical settings.
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