Recommendation prompts the DEA to conduct a final review for reschedulization.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that the department recommends the reclassification of marijuana as a less harmful drug than currently labeled.
At the moment, marijuana is listed as a Schedule 1 drug along with ecstasy, LSD, and heroin. The HHS recommends reducing its rating to a Schedule 3 drug, placing it alongside drugs known to have moderate potential for dependency that doctors still use to treat certain ailments. Steroids, ketamine, and testosterone are drugs currently classified within the Schedule 3 rating.
The health department’s recommendation does not automatically reclassify marijuana as a Schedule 3 drug, but it does prompt the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to conduct a final review to decide whether or not to formally reclassify the drug.
“As part of this process, HHS conducted a scientific and medical evaluation for consideration by DEA,” a DEA spokesperson said. “DEA has the final authority to schedule or reschedule a drug under the Controlled Substances Act. DEA will now initiate its review.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Administrator Anne Milgram as she oversees the DEA’s review of the HHS recommendation to reclassify marijuana.
- For Secretary Becerra to seek God’s guidance as he heads the HHS.
- For administration officials as they assess the classification of controlled substances.
Sources: Reuters, PBS
