Colo. cannabis industry sees positives, drawbacks to marijuana reclassification – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

DENVER — The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) move marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule III controlled substance.

The recommendation comes after President Joe Biden requested a review in October 2022 as he pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law.

Rescheduling marijuana would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD.

According to the DEA, Schedule I drugs “have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.”

Schedule III drugs “have a potential for abuse less than substances in Schedules I or II and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.” They currently include ketamine and some anabolic steroids.

Rescheduling marijuana could have a major impact on Colorado’s marijuana industry, according to experts.

Truman Bradley with the Marijuana Industry Group, which represents businesses across Colorado, said the move…