President Joe Biden’s administration has proposed reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, which would significantly change federal marijuana laws. This move has been described as monumental by the president, who is working to reverse longstanding inequities associated with marijuana criminalization. The proposed change would align marijuana with prescription drugs like ketamine and Tylenol with codeine, potentially boosting Biden’s appeal among younger voters.
This is the first time Biden has spoken out about the rescheduling since his Justice Department recommended the change in April. The administration has already taken steps to pardon federal marijuana offenders and encouraged state governors to do the same. The Justice Department will take the next formal step in easing federal restrictions by opening the proposed rescheduling for a 60-day public comment period in the Federal Register. This process will involve an administrative law judge considering evidence before a final scheduling determination is made.
Biden emphasized in a video that the proposed change builds on the administration’s efforts to right the wrongs caused by the failed approach to marijuana. He stressed that no one should be in jail for merely using or possessing marijuana, and he is committed to correcting the injustices that have affected many lives. Despite the lengthy process for rescheduling, Biden’s advisers see it as necessary to place marijuana in a more appropriate category after more than 50 years of being classified as a Schedule I substance.
The potential political benefits of loosening rules on marijuana are acknowledged by Biden’s advisers, as the drug has gained wider cultural acceptance in recent years. Many states now allow its use for medical purposes and recreation, reflecting a shift in attitudes towards marijuana. The rescheduling proposal marks another step in the administration’s efforts to address the harms caused by marijuana criminalization and create a fairer system for those impacted by outdated policies. By reclassifying marijuana as a lower-risk substance, the administration aims to provide relief to individuals facing legal consequences for marijuana use and possession.
