Some may say it’s unprecedented; others may say it’s long overdue; either way, this week, marijuana is close to receiving a lowered classification from the DEA.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is considering a significant shift to reclassify marijuana, moving it from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, indicating it as less dangerous. Peter Robins-Brown of Louisiana Progress highlighted the disparity between federal regulations and the state-level acceptance of marijuana, noting that nearly 40 states have authorized medical marijuana, and around two dozen states have approved recreational use.
“It’s long overdue but finally glad they are realizing the errors of their ways,” Robins-Brown remarked, pointing out that the federal stance has lagged behind state actions and public opinion.
For Louisiana, this reclassification could pave the way for marijuana to be prescribed just like other medicines. “The reclassification will allow us to, hopefully very shortly, make it a full-on prescription, just like you would get for any other type of medicine,” said Robins-Brown.
Despite the potential change, legalizing recreational marijuana in Louisiana still faces multiple challenges. “That does have a lot of other hurdles to clear. I think this reduces one of those hurdles but there will be a lot of political hurdles to overcome,” he explained.
The White House Office of Management and Budget is still reviewing the DEA’s proposal. Approval of this proposal would not only recognize the medicinal benefits of marijuana but also its lower potential for abuse, though it would not extend to legalizing recreational use.
