US to Reclassify Cannabis as Low-Risk Drug

The US Attorney General has sent a proposal to the White House to reclassify marijuana, which would downgrade it from a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, to a Schedule III drug, similar to ketamine and some anabolic steroids. This move is seen as a historic shift in federal policy, aligning with public opinion, following President Biden's initiation of a federal review into the matter in 2022. The proposal would not legalize marijuana for recreational use but would likely lead to fewer arrests for personal possession. Currently, many US cities have already decriminalized marijuana, with little or no enforcement. It is worth noting that this move has been anticipated since August when the Department of Health and Human Services advised the DEA to reclassify marijuana based on a review by the Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, 38 states have already legalized medical marijuana. The Associated Press reported the proposal on Tuesday afternoon.