Biden Administration Plans to Reschedule Marijuana to Schedule III Amid Ongoing Debates

The proposed shift from Schedule I to Schedule III aims to reduce criminal penalties and foster medical research, despite mixed reactions on public health and political implications.

The Biden administration intends to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I, denoting high abuse potential and no medical benefit, to Schedule III, which allows for medical research and lower penalties.
Senate Democrats have reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, aiming for full legalization and a regulatory framework similar to alcohol and tobacco.
Critics argue the rescheduling reflects election-year politics more than scientific consensus, with concerns about increased public health risks.
The DEA faces internal opposition and health concerns about high-potency marijuana strains, complicating the rescheduling process.
Federal law enforcement priorities have shifted, focusing less on low-level cannabis offenses amid a severe fentanyl crisis.