“It’s clear that this was a significant hurdle in limiting the quantity of clinical research taking place in the US”, Paul Armentano, of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, told the New York Times.
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The DEA’s latest review of marijuana’s classification was prompted by requests from the former governors of Rhode Island and Washington. Heroin, peyote and marijuana, among others, are considered Schedule I drugs because they have no medical application; cocaine and opiates, for example, have medical uses and, while still illegal for recreational use, are designated Schedule II drugs.
Drugs listed on the DEA’s Schedule I list meet three criteria – a high potential for abuse, no now accepted medical use and a lack of accepted safety for the drug’s use under medical supervision.
The DEA is not, however, expected to reclassify marijuana on Thursday.
The Drug Enforcement Administration will reportedly allow more universities to grow marijuana for medical research, which up until now has only been allowed at the University of Mississippi. Right now, only the University of MS can do that. Moreover, there is lack of evidence of consensus among qualified experts to support that marijuana is safe and effective.
Federal prosecutors have been directed to focus on prosecuting large-scale marijuana distributors and ease up on individuals caught with marijuana.
The position of the US government on marijuana has impacts for states that have legalized its recreational or medical use. Cory Booker (D-NJ) (L), U.S. Sen.
The USDA, DEA and FDA have also released a statement of principles concerning the cultivation of industrial hemp in the Agricultural Act of 2014.
The paper reports that the silver lining in today’s announcement, however, is that the feds are loosening its belt on where marijuana can be grown for research purposes.
Supporters of marijuana research praised the news. The DEA’s move disappointed marijuana advocates, who feel the decision was based on political motives rather than on scientific data.
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If the medical benefits of marijuana are going to be approved by the federal government, it won’t happen while Barack Obama is President. While marijuana will remain a Schedule 1 substance, federal officials will relax rules for marijuana research, making it easier for institutions to grow and study the drug. The University of MS is now the only DEA-approved marijuana growing facility for research.
