US FDA Supports Reclassifying Cannabis as a Schedule III Drug, Highlighting Its Medical Potential

The US FDA emphasizes in a 250-page scientific review that cannabis has a low potential for abuse and supports reclassifying cannabis as a lower-schedule drug, highlighting its medical potential. This recommendation could lead to a reevaluation of federal laws regarding cannabis in the United States, allowing cannabis businesses to be legalized and enjoy tax benefits.

According to a report by US media Proceso on January 12, the FDA highlighted in a lengthy 250-page scientific review that cannabis has a lower potential for abuse compared to other similarly restricted drugs and emphasized its role in medical treatment.

It is reported that FDA researchers support renaming cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, arguing that cannabis has a lower potential for abuse than other similarly restricted substances and scientifically supports its medical use.

Currently, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, the most dangerous category, which includes substances like heroin and LSD. However, in 2022, President Joe Biden requested the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Attorney General to initiate an administrative review process to reconsider how such substances are classified under federal law.

Federal scientists concluded that cannabis does not have the same obvious abuse risks or tendencies as other strictly controlled substances. Furthermore, they acknowledged the potential medical benefits of cannabis, leading them to recommend removing cannabis from the country's most strictly regulated drug category.

These recommendations were revealed in a detailed 250-page scientific review published online on January 12, and an HHS official has confirmed its authenticity.

According to the document's explanation, "These databases are consistent across different substances and times; although cannabis abuse can lead to clear harmful outcomes, including substance use disorders, these cases are relatively rare and the severity is low."

The FDA's controlled substances personnel wrote in the document that they recommend reclassifying cannabis because it meets three criteria: lower potential for abuse than Schedule I and II substances, accepted medical use in the United States, and low to moderate risk of physical dependence for those who abuse it. The National Institute on Drug Abuse agrees with these recommendations.

This information first reveals federal health officials' thoughts on making significant adjustments to cannabis at the federal level. Although the relevant departments have not publicly commented on their discussions, cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I drug since 1970, sharing this category with substances like heroin.

Under federal law, Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use and have a high potential for abuse, with illegal use subject to severe criminal penalties. The documents reveal that FDA and National Institute on Drug Abuse scientists recommend reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III drug, similar to ketamine and testosterone, which can be obtained through a doctor's prescription.

Federal scientists' review concluded that although cannabis is the most commonly abused illegal drug, "it produces fewer severe outcomes compared to Schedule I or II drugs."

This evaluator noted that cannabis abuse may lead to physical dependence, and in some cases, psychological dependence may occur, but the likelihood of severe outcomes is very low.

The assessment also noted that there is some "scientific support" for the medical use of cannabis, including for treating anorexia, pain, and nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy. It is important to note that federal officials warned that their analysis does not imply that they have determined cannabis to be safe and effective for FDA approval. Their main goal is to emphasize that data supports some medical uses of cannabis.

Currently, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is considering this recommendation and is expected to formally announce its decision in the coming months. The reclassification will be subject to public comment and debate before a final decision is made.

Federal statistics show that cannabis is very popular in the United States, with nearly 52 million people having used cannabis in 2021. About 36 million reported using cannabis in the past month, making this number second only to alcohol and tobacco.