The US Department of Health and Human Services has recommended lowering federal penalties and restrictions on marijuana by downgrading its drug classification.
HHS is proposing that the Drug Enforcement Administration reduce the devil’s salad from Schedule I drugs — a classification that includes heroin and LSD — to Schedule III drugs, along with ketamine and some anabolic steroids, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday.
“HHS has done the right thing,” Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement. “The DEA must now follow through on this important step to reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.”
Drug rescheduling can reduce or even end criminal prosecution of weed users.
Schedule I drugs are classified by the DEA as substances that have no “currently accepted” medical use in the US, “lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision and a high potential for abuse.”
HHS proposes easing federal penalties and restrictions on marijuana. Polaris
Marijuana, however, is currently legal for medical use in 38 states and for recreational use by adults in 23, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Schedule III drugs “have less abuse potential than substances in Schedule I or II and abuse can lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence,” according to the DEA.
The recommendation was welcomed by some Senate leaders, but some said marijuana should be suspended altogether – decriminalizing the widely used drug.
HHS is proposing that the Drug Enforcement Administration should downgrade marijuana as a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. AFP via Getty Images
The nonprofit US Cannabis Council also praised the proposal.
“We very much welcome today’s news. … Rescheduling would have multiple benefits, including signaling to the criminal justice system that marijuana is a lower priority and providing an important economic lifeline to the marijuana industry,” the council said in a statement.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
