Recently released documents reveal that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that cannabis possesses legitimate medical benefits and recommends reclassifying it from Schedule I to Schedule III on the controlled substances list.
The FDA’s extensive 252-page report, sent to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in August 2023, was made public following a lawsuit filed by Houston attorney Matthew Zorn, who sought transparency in public policy discussions. The report highlights cannabis as a low-risk substance to public health, proposing its placement in Schedule III, a category with fewer restrictions than Schedule I.
While the DEA is not obligated to act immediately, legal experts anticipate swift action due to President Joe Biden’s directive in October 2022, urging the Department of Health and Human Services and the US Attorney General to expedite a review of marijuana’s federal scheduling.
The FDA report emphasizes that cannabis poses less risk of misuse compared to Schedule I or II substances like heroin or cocaine. It underscores the drug’s credible medical use in treating conditions such as anorexia, anxiety, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, nausea, vomiting, pain, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The FDA’s evaluation considered data from over 30,000 healthcare providers and six million patients who used medical marijuana in state programs since 2016.
Attorneys and experts predict the issuance of a proposed rule to reclassify cannabis soon, with a final rule expected by mid-summer. Despite the FDA’s evidence-based findings, there is opposition from some Republican members of Congress who argue against rescheduling, claiming it is driven by a “pro-pot agenda” and asserting no change in marijuana’s accepted medical use since 2016.
The FDA’s comprehensive and science-grounded report is seen as a significant step toward reshaping cannabis policy in the United States, potentially paving the way for a more rational approach to its legal status.
