As the US government moves towards reclassifying marijuana to a less dangerous drug category, its immediate impact may be limited in states that haven’t legalized cannabis for medical or recreational use. However, advocates anticipate a potential shift in state policymakers’ attitudes towards legalization.
Matthew Schweich, Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project, notes that many legislators express willingness to support legalization but hesitate due to federal illegality. Reclassifying marijuana could alleviate this concern, making state-level legalization more viable.
The proposed reclassification by the Drug Enforcement Administration aims to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, reducing regulatory restrictions. While this doesn’t legalize marijuana federally, it signals a significant change that could influence state lawmakers.
Despite the proposal, the regulatory process is lengthy and may extend beyond the upcoming presidential election, delaying any immediate effects on state legalization efforts.