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Written By Digital Content Editor Thomas Ahearn
On August 29, 2023, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a letter with its recommendations on how marijuana is scheduled under federal law to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after U.S. President Joe Biden requested the HHS secretary conduct a review, TheHill.com reported.
“I can now share that, following the data and science, @HHSGov has responded to @POTUS’ directive to me for the Department to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA. We’ve worked to ensure that a scientific evaluation be completed and shared expeditiously,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra shared in a post.
“We can confirm DEA received a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services providing its findings and recommendation on marijuana scheduling, pursuant to President Biden’s request for a review. DEA has the final authority to schedule or reschedule a drug under the Controlled Substances Act,” a DEA spokesperson said.
According to the letter obtained by Bloomberg News, the HHS recommended reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug with “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug “with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
Some states legalized recreational and medicinal use of marijuana. “Currently, 23 states and D.C. have enacted laws regulating the nonmedical use of marijuana for adults. Several others have medical marijuana programs in place, but federal law still prohibits the possession of any amount of marijuana,” TheHill.com reported.
Employment Screening Resources (ESR) is a service offering of ClearStar, a leading Human Resources technology company specializing in background checks, drug testing, and occupational health screening. ClearStar offers a Marijuana Legality Interactive Map for employers who drug test. To learn more, contact ClearStar.
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