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For the first time, the government is acknowledging marijuana’s potential medical benefits

WAMU 88.5 | By Anna Casey
Published May 7, 2024 at 6:53 AM CDT
In this photo illustration, packaging for a marijuana cigarette sits on top of dried cannabis flowers in San Anselmo, California.
In this photo illustration, packaging for a marijuana cigarette sits on top of dried cannabis flowers in San Anselmo, California.

For the last 50 years,the government has classifiedMarijuanaas a schedule one drug.

Last Tuesday, Attorney General Merrick Garlanddidinitiate the process to reclassify marijuana as a schedule three drug. Those substances are considered by the Drug Enforcement Agency to have moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.

This recommendation does not make marijuana legal at the federal level. But for the first time, the government is acknowledging marijuana’s potential medical benefits.

What does this move mean for marijuana research, and drug policy more broadly?

Copyright 2024 WAMU 88.5

Anna Casey