Biden poised to ease marijuana restrictions
The move will reclassify it as a less dangerous drug
What happened
President Joe Biden is reportedly on the cusp of approving a historic reclassification of cannabis from a Schedule I narcotic alongside heroin and other hard drugs to a much more permissive Schedule III drug. The move will place marijuana alongside Tylenol with codeine and other drugs determined to have medical applications.
Who said what
Attorney General Merrick Garland "circulated" the reclassification proposal Tuesday, and once it is approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget and "published by the Federal Register, it will initiate a formal rulemaking process as prescribed by Congress," said Justice Department spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa. "Congress must do everything we can to end the federal prohibition on cannabis and address longstanding harms caused by the War on Drugs," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.
The commentary
The move is "significant" but won't decriminalize pot or "immediately address the growing chasm between federal law and the laws of most states," marijuana legalization lobbying group NORML said on X. The reclassification could lead to the "softening of other laws and regulations" surrounding cannabis, The New York Times said, including "sentencing guidelines, banking and access to public housing."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Cannabis would become a Schedule III drug after OMB sign-off, a public comment period and review by an administrative judge.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
Is Marjorie Taylor Greene finished?
Talking Point Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson failed, but it still left many of her fellow Republicans furious
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Google unveils 'AI overviews' atop search results
Speed Read Users of the search engine in the US will now get AI-generated answers first
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Georgia erupts in fury as 'Russian law' passes
Speed Read The "foreign influence" bill is reminiscent of legislation Putin previously passed, with the intent to silence critics
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rwanda law suffers Northern Ireland setback
Speed Read Belfast High Court finds Illegal Migration Act clashes with Good Friday Agreement human rights provisions
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Congress starts clock on TikTok ban in foreign aid bill
Speed Read Lawmakers believe that the app poses a national security threat
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Netherlands split on WFH for sex workers
Speed Read Councils concerned over 'nuisance' of at-home sex work, but others say changes will curb underground sex trade
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published