Acting DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg wrote, “If the scientific understanding about marijuana changes … then the decision could change”.
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In denying the rescheduling, the DEA cited marijuana’s high potential for abuse, its lack of now accepted medical use and accepted safety use under medical supervision, according to the filings.
For decades, marijuana has been listed as a “Schedule I” drug, placing it on par with heroin.
Additionally, the DEA said yesterday that private companies working on new drug development would be able to apply to grow marijuana, meaning that, for the first time in generations, for-profit companies could develop marijuana-based medicines in the USA with the federal government’s approval. The University of MS is now the only DEA-approved marijuana growing facility for research.
“The DEA’s decision flies in the face of choices made freely by voters in OR and many other states about the legality of marijuana”.
The new policy will allow more institutions to apply to register with the DEA to produce marijuana for research purposes approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The DEA’s decision to keep pot as a Schedule I drug affirmed the federal government’s belief that there is insufficient evidence to show that any “specific benefits” the drug might offer would outweigh any of the “known risks”.
They allow its recreational use for adults. He said these criteria were set out in the Controlled Substances Act, which mandates scheduling decisions based on scientific data.
Krumm told ABC News he was disappointed by the DEA’s decision and intends to appeal.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee said he was “disappointed” the Drug Enforcement Administration announced it would keep marijuana illegal for any goal Thursday. Earlier this week, the National Conference of State Legislatures passed a resolution calling for Congress to remove marijuana from Schedule I. This means that the drug will continue to remain as a Schedule I controlled substance due to the requirements of the CSA.
At least 25 states and the District of Columbia have approved the use of medical marijuana for conditions ranging from epilepsy to arthritis.
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Some good news and not so good news emerged on the federal level for marijuana activists on Wednesday evening.
