politics
Federal Agencies Move Marijuana to Schedule III Under Trump Administration
Federal agencies recently moved certain marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Public hearings on the change are scheduled for a later date. The reclassification affects state-licensed medical marijuana and FDA-approved products containing marijuana.
May 19, 8:00 AM·1m read1 source
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Federal agencies recently moved marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license and FDA-approved products containing marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Public hearings on the change are scheduled for a later date.
The stated purpose of the move is to facilitate research on cannabidiol and marijuana for medicinal purposes. CBD has been legally available since the 2018 federal Farm Bill authorized hemp production.
2013, federal enforcement of existing marijuana laws stopped. A $38 billion industry has developed since that time. 6 million people over the age of 12. Marijuana use is the primary reason given for addiction treatment for those under the age of 20. High-potency marijuana is linked to increased rates of psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, and suicidality, particularly among those under age 25.
The reclassification states that marijuana has a moderate to low probability of abuse. Marijuana remains the only Schedule III substance without a mandated cap on potency or requirements for licensed providers to prescribe dosage, strength, and frequency of use.
The change allows marijuana corporations to claim an estimated $2 billion or more in annual federal tax breaks. The reclassification also grants federal legitimacy to high-THC concentrates and specific cannabis strains. Susan Homola, New Hampshire State Chairman for Smart Approaches to Marijuana, and Raymond Wiggins, MD, stated that the reclassification teaches youth that science is negotiable for the right price.
