In an historic move, the Biden administration will consider the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposal to lessen federal restrictions on cannabis.
READ MORE: President Joe Biden to promote ‘Investing in America’ this week in Wilmington
According to the Associated Press, it’s expected the drug control agency will remove cannabis as a schedule I substance — the most strict of class that includes drugs like heroin and methamphetamine. Schedule I substances are determined not to have a medical use and present addiction and abuse problems.
The federal Health and Human Services Department is suggesting to the Biden administration that marijuana become the least restrictive schedule III substance, which includes Tylenol, codeine, steroids. If approved, it will be the first time a drug’s reclassification has lessened since the 50-plus-year Controlled Substances Act was enacted.
[Ed. note: After publication, it was brought to PCD’s attention that tramadol was strengthened in classification in 2014, due to its potential of abuse. It became a schedule IV substance.]
While the reclassification will not legalize marijuana, the move would allow for studies to be conducted and cannabis to be tested for medical benefit. This could provide a pathway for pharmaceutical companies to sell various medical marijuana products as well.
Twenty-four states recognize recreational marijuana use, while 38 adhere to medical legalization. North Carolina is not one. A medical marijuana bill has been presented in the General Assembly in the last two years, as sponsored by New Hanover County Senator Michael Lee and Brunswick County Senator Bill Rabon. While it passed the Senate, it has stalled at the House.
One news outlet has reported it’s being discussed again in the short session, potentially to be combined with stricter regulations on hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as CBD.
Port City Daily reached out to Sen. Lee to see if he had any insight on the bill coming back before committee in light of the DEA’s announcement. Lee hadn’t had a chance to look over the news, he expressed, and didn’t comment further.
Should the reclassification go through, it also would alleviate some tax regulations marijuana businesses face. Part of the IRS code on these operations disallow deductions on business expenses, such as rent and payroll, for instance.
The impetus of the DEA’s proposal began two years ago when Biden issued a request for the Department of Health and Human Services to review marijuana’s classification. The White House Office of Management and Budget has to review the DEA’s proposal before moving forward.
The public will be allowed to comment on the federal move before the agency determines its final rule.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
