America relaxes restrictions on cannabis for therapeutic purposes

In a significant move, the US government has reclassified cannabis to facilitate its use for medical purposes, thereby paving the way for more comprehensive research into its safety and effectiveness, as announced on Thursday.

n

This reclassification indicates that marijuana possesses moderate to low addiction potential, a development that acting attorney general Todd Blanche believes will enhance patient access to treatments and enable doctors to make more informed healthcare decisions.

n

Prior to this reclassification, marijuana was categorized as a "Schedule I" substance, a classification reserved for drugs deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, with other notable substances in this category including heroin and methamphetamine, as per the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

n

Following its reclassification, marijuana has been moved to the third tier of the five-level Drug Schedule, marking a notable shift in its status.

n

The Department of Justice has stated that Thursday's decision is a follow-up to President Donald Trump's executive order issued in December, which aimed to increase research into medical marijuana.