Marijuana is currently classified in the US as a “schedule one” substance, alongside heroin and LSD, which is reserved for drugs with a high potential for abuse.<\/p>\n
The US Department of Justice, which oversees the DEA, recommended cannabis be switched to “schedule three”, meaning it has a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence, and putting the drug in the same bracket as ketamine and some anabolic steroids.<\/p>\n
The move comes after US President Joe Biden called for a review of the federal marijuana law in October 2022 and announced\u00a0a pardon for thousands of Americans<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0convicted of possessing cannabis.<\/p>\n In December, Mr Biden said: “Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities.<\/p>\n “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”<\/p>\n Jack Riley, a former deputy administrator of the DEA, said he had concerns about the proposed change, saying marijuana remains a possible “gateway drug”.<\/p>\n According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, some research has shown that young people who use cannabis have an increased risk of psychosis.<\/p>\n Using cannabis can also increase the risk of other mental health problems such as depression and suicidal feelings, it adds.<\/p>\n The discrepancy between federal and state cannabis laws in the US is evident, as 38 states have already legalised medical marijuana, with 24 approving its recreational use.<\/p>\n Source: \u00a0![\"Sky](\"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/sky-news-logo-1.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/a> news.sky.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"