"WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that would reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug and open new avenues for medical research, a major shift in federal drug policy that inches closer to what many states have done. The switch would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Cannabis would instead be a Schedule III substance, like ketamine and some anabolic steroids."
"Such a switch typically requires an arduous process, including a public comment period that has drawn tens of thousands of reactions from across the U.S. The DEA was still in the review process when Trump took office in January. Trump's order is expected to speed the process along, though it was not immediately clear how long it might take."
"Many states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults or allow it for medical purposes. But U.S. laws have remained stricter, potentially leaving people subject to federal prosecution. Polling from Gallup shows more Americans back a less restrictive approach: Support for marijuana legalization has grown significantly, from just 36% support in 2005 to 68% last year."
President Donald Trump issued an executive order to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, potentially reducing penalties and easing federal controls. The move could expand medical research, change regulatory treatment, and lower tax burdens on the cannabis industry while not legalizing recreational use nationwide. The DEA's reclassification process involves public comment and review and is expected to be accelerated by the order. Many states already allow medical or recreational marijuana, creating a patchwork with stricter federal rules. Polling shows growing public support for legalization. The order also calls for expanded research and increased access to hemp-derived CBD products.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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