Justice Department moves to reclassify marijuana use
Several steps remain before marijuana can be taken off Schedule I, where it's listed with the world's most dangerous drugs like heroin, and put on Schedule III, which is for less risky drugs with a medical use, said the people, who asked not to be named because the information hasn't yet been made public. This would ease access to cannabis for patients and researchers studying its medical applications without decriminalizing it. The production, distribution and possession of marijuana for recreational purposes would remain illegal under federal law.
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23095805.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23061157.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23055620.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22971827.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22956669.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22941736.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22926478.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22818411.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22658730.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22422848.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22034515.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22034512.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22034490.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/21781572.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23095805.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23061157.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23055620.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22971827.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22956669.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22941736.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22926478.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22818411.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22658730.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22422848.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22034515.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22034512.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/22034490.jpg)
![](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/21781572.jpg)
USA TODAY NETWORK
Marijuana is pictured at a growing facility in Hollis, Okla., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019.USA TODAY NETWORK
Fancy Fairchild, right, waves a flag during a rally to legalize marijuana at the Governor’s Mansion on Wednesday April 20, 2022. A few dozen activists gathered at 4:20 p.m. on 4/20 to bring attention to cause.USA TODAY NETWORK
Marijuana plants hung out to dry, pictured Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at Green Peak Innovations in Dimondale, Michigan.USA TODAY NETWORK
An American Heart Association study has found that daily marijuana use is linked to a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke. And the increased danger exists whether users smoke, vape or eat their cannabis products.USA TODAY NETWORK
One of many marijuana entrepreneurs selling to the hundreds of people that came to the 53rd Ann Arbor Hash Bash at the Diag on the campus of the University of Michigan on Saturday, April 6, 2024.USA TODAY NETWORK
Marijuana is grown at the University of Mississippi's Coy Waller Laboratory for research in Oxford, Miss., seen on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. UM expects to have classes open for a two-year masters program in medical cannabis and dietary supplements in Fall 2024.USA TODAY NETWORK
Co-owner James Folan III handles a marijuana plant at the East Coast Cannabis cultivation compound in Eliot, Maine, Thursday, June 10, 2021.USA TODAY NETWORK
Mid stage marijuana plants at the Cleveland School of Cannabis Monday, March 11, 2024.USA TODAY NETWORK
Marijuana plants are photographed inside the mother grow room on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 at Cresco Labs in Marshall, Michigan.USA TODAY NETWORK
Marijuana flowers are pictured at Likewise Cannabis in Edmond, Okla., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.USA TODAY NETWORK
King City Gardens opened in November 2023 in Forest Park as the largest medical marijuana facility in the state of Ohio.USA TODAY NETWORK
King City Gardens opened in November 2023 in Forest Park as the largest medical marijuana facility in the state of Ohio.USA TODAY NETWORK
King City Gardens opens in Forest Park as the largest marijuana facility in the state of Ohio.USA TODAY NETWORK
Marijuana is grown at the University of Mississippi's Coy Waller Laboratory for research in Oxford, Miss., seen on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. UM expects to have classes open for a two-year masters program in medical cannabis and dietary supplements in Fall 2024.