US reclassifies marijuana, raising hopes of legalisation

The U.S. Department of Justice has reclassified cannabis, shifting it from Schedule I to Schedule III status—a move signaling a major change in national drug regulations.

This reclassification places marijuana in the same classification as Tylenol, which contains codeine, under Schedule III. The adjustment aims to reflect its lower potential for abuse compared to previously categorized narcotics.

Last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order initiating the process, aiming to expand access and facilitate more research on the substance. Despite this shift, federal law still classifies marijuana as illicit, leaving its legal status unchanged at the national level.

While federal law still classifies marijuana as illicit, the majority of U.S. states have enacted laws permitting its medical or recreational use, with numerous locations offering legal sales.

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