The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is recommending that cannabis be reclassified as less risky, people familiar with the matter say — a move that could help the legal marijuana industry take advantage of tax breaks.
Several more steps need to be taken before marijuana can be moved from Schedule I, where it is on the list of the most dangerous drugs in the world, like heroin, to Schedule III, which is for less risky drugs with a medical use , said the people, asking not to be used. mentioned because the information has not 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.
The effort, which could still fail, comes nearly three decades after California legalized medical marijuana. More than half of the U.S. population can now buy marijuana thanks to a patchwork of voter-driven laws.
