The United States government has announced a major policy shift on cannabis, easing restrictions to improve access for medical use and expand scientific research. The decision marks a significant ce in how marijuana is viewed under federal law.
According to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, marijuana has been reclassified to reflect a moderate to low potential for addiction. The move is expected to broaden patient access to cannabis based treatments while giving doctors greater flexibility in prescribing and studying its use.
Previously, marijuana was listed as a Schedule I substance under the Drug Enforcement Administration classification system. This category is reserved for drugs considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as and amphetamine. With the new adjustment, cannabis has been moved to Schedule III, placing it alongside substances with recognized medical applications and lower abuse risks.
Officials say the reclassification will make it easier for researchers to study cannabis, addressing long standing barriers that limited scientific understanding of its safety and effectiveness. It is also expected to encourage pharmaceutical development and more standardized medical use.
The Department of Justice noted that the decision follows an executive order issued in December by President Donald Trump, which directed federal agencies to expand research into medical marijuana.
The policy shift reflects a broader trend in the United States toward reevaluating cannabis laws, particularly as more states adopt medical and recreational marijuana programs.
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