In a significant policy move, the Justice Department has officially proposed a new rule that would reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug. The proposed change would ease restrictions on cannabis on the federal level if ultimately approved. However, it is important to note that the rescheduling of marijuana would neither legalize nor decriminalize it across the nation.

Currently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) categorizes marijuana as a Schedule I substance, stating that it has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." The Justice Department's proposed rule aims to shift the classification of marijuana to Schedule III, which would bring the drug into regulatory parity with substances like ketamine and anabolic steroids. This would mean that marijuana, while still regulated, would be recognized as having a "moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."

The proposed rule initiates a months-long comment and administrative period before taking effect. After a 60-day period, officials will make a final determination, and the rule will be officially published. This announcement follows President Biden's request in 2022 for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department to reassess the DEA's classification of marijuana.

The Justice Department memo, published last month, revealed that the HHS concluded, after reviewing several studies, that there is credible scientific support for the effective use of marijuana in certain medical situations. However, the memo also noted that no professional medical organization currently recommends marijuana use, with one even recommending against it.

While dozens of states already allow marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, the federal classification has caused disparities and harsh penalties, especially impacting minority populations. President Biden has made marijuana policy a priority, issuing pardons for thousands of Americans convicted of simple possession at the federal level and encouraging governors to do the same.

Critics of the proposed rescheduling, including former DEA officials, have expressed concerns about the potential risks posed by marijuana's side effects and argue that this change could lead to the use of more dangerous substances, serving as a gateway.

Overall, the proposed rescheduling of marijuana by the Justice Department marks a significant step towards easing federal restrictions on cannabis. However, its ultimate approval and implementation will depend on the outcome of the comment and administrative period.