The United States government on Thursday eased restrictions on the medical use of cannabis, reclassifying the drug to allow wider patient access and expand research into its safety and effectiveness.
Marijuana has been reclassified as having moderate to low addiction potential, “expanding patients’ access to treatments and empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions,” acting attorney general Todd Blanche said.
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What are the changes made to medical use of cannabis?
The drug was previously listed under Schedule I- a category reserved for substances with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” including heroin and methamphetamine, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
It has now been moved to Schedule III, the third tier in the five-level classification system.
The Department of Justice said the move follows up on US President Donald Trump’s December executive order aimed at increasing research into medical marijuana.
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What does the press release by Department of Justice mention?
“The issuance of an order immediately placing both FDA-approved products containing marijuana and marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, as well as the initiation of an expedited administrative hearing process to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III,” reads the press release.
“The new hearing, beginning June 29, 2026, will provide a timely and legally compliant pathway to evaluate broader changes to marijuana’s status under federal law. Together, these actions provide immediate and long-term clarity to researchers, patients, and providers alike while still maintaining strict federal controls against illicit drug trafficking.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the decision places both FDA-approved marijuana-based drugs and state-regulated medical cannabis products under Schedule III, using his authority to reschedule substances in line with US obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
The move also acknowledges the existing regulation of medical marijuana at the state level.
“Separately, the Department announced procedural updates to expedite the ongoing rulemaking process required to fully remove marijuana from Schedule I and place it into Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.”
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