US Reclassifies Marijuana to Expand Access for Medical Use

Washington D.C. | The United States government announced on Thursday a decision to provide citizens with easier access to marijuana for medical purposes.

The move involves reclassifying the drug while ensuring further research into its safety and efficacy to facilitate medical access.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, 'Marijuana has been reclassified as a drug with a moderate to low potential for addiction. Research has shown that this will help expand access to treatment for patients and empower physicians to make better-informed healthcare decisions.'

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it was previously classified as a 'Schedule I' drug, a category for substances with 'no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,' which includes 'heroin' and 'methamphetamine.'

It has now been moved to the third tier of the five-level drug schedule. The Department of Justice stated on Thursday that this decision follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in December to advance research into the medicinal properties of marijuana.