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US reclassifies certain marijuana products as a less-dangerous drug

From Kathmandu Post · (6h ago) English Positive tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The US Department of Justice is reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III.
  • This change is one of the most significant shifts in US drug policy in decades and is expected to impact the cannabis industry.
  • The reclassification aims to facilitate research into marijuana's potential health benefits and ease tax burdens for companies.

The United States is taking a monumental step forward in drug policy by reclassifying marijuana. This move, spearheaded by the Department of Justice, signals a significant shift away from decades of prohibition and acknowledges the evolving understanding of cannabis.

This reclassification from Schedule I to Schedule III is not merely a bureaucratic adjustment; it's a recognition of science, medicine, and, most importantly, patient needs. For too long, the potential therapeutic benefits of marijuana have been hindered by its restrictive classification, which placed it alongside drugs like heroin. This change promises to unlock crucial research into its efficacy and safety, providing doctors and patients with more reliable information.

This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.

— Acting Attorney General Todd BlancheStatement on the reclassification of marijuana.

The implications for the burgeoning cannabis industry are profound. Lowering barriers to research, easing tax burdens, and making it easier for firms to secure funding will undoubtedly reshape the market. Companies like Canopy Growth, Tilray Brands, and Trulieve Cannabis are poised to benefit, as evidenced by the immediate jump in their stock prices following the announcement.

This policy shift aligns federal law with the reality on the ground in nearly half of US states, where cannabis is already legal in some form. It addresses the anachronistic nature of marijuana's Schedule I status, which has led to millions of arrests even as legal sales are projected to reach billions. This is a victory for common sense and a move towards a more rational approach to drug policy.

Today marks a pivotal moment for the United States. With President Trump’s action to reschedule cannabis, federal policy is finally aligning with science, medicine, and most importantly, patient needs.

— Irwin Simon, chairman and CEO of TilrayStatement on the impact of the reclassification.
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Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.