What happened
President Joe Biden is reportedly on the cusp of approving a historic reclassification of cannabis from a Schedule I narcotic alongside heroin and other hard drugs to a much more permissive Schedule III drug. The move will place marijuana alongside Tylenol with codeine and other drugs determined to have medical applications.
Who said what
Attorney General Merrick Garland "circulated" the reclassification proposal Tuesday, and once it is approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget and "published by the Federal Register, it will initiate a formal rulemaking process as prescribed by Congress," said Justice Department spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa. "Congress must do everything we can to end the federal prohibition on cannabis and address longstanding harms caused by the War on Drugs," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.
The commentary
The move is "significant" but won't decriminalize pot or "immediately address the growing chasm between federal law and the laws of most states," marijuana legalization lobbying group NORML said on X. The reclassification could lead to the "softening of other laws and regulations" surrounding cannabis, The New York Times said, including "sentencing guidelines, banking and access to public housing."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Cannabis would become a Schedule III drug after OMB sign-off, a public comment period and review by an administrative judge.
-
The rise of the performative maleTalking Point What the latest internet trope tells us about gender roles, dating and male illiteracy
-
5 cracking cartoons about the new Cracker Barrel logoCartoons Artists take on MAGA designs, real issues, and more
-
Should you downsize for retirement? Here's what to consider.The Explainer Moving to a smaller place may seem easier, but there are also some real benefits to staying put
-
Judge blocks Louisiana 10 Commandments lawSpeed Read U.S. District Judge John deGravelles ruled that a law ordering schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms was unconstitutional
-
Katie Price has left the UK as arrest warrant issuedSpeed Read Model says she is away 'working' after missing insolvency court hearing into her bankruptcy and £750,000 unpaid tax
-
Congress OKs greater prisons oversightSpeed Reads The legislation came after reporting from The Associated Press exposed corruption in the prison system
-
Kuwait plane hostages to sue BA and UK governmentSpeed Read Lawsuit filed by victims 34 years later claims Foreign Office knew Iraqi forces had invaded but failed to divert flight
-
Judge reopens Trump challenge in secrets caseSpeed Read Aileen Cannon continues to delay and complicate the classified documents case
-
Supreme Court to weigh transgender care limitsSpeed Read The case challenges a Tennessee law restricting care for trans minors
-
Julian Assange free after agreeing to guilty pleaSpeed Read Wikileaks founder not expected to serve additional prison time, paving way for return to Australia as a free man
-
Judge strikes down Florida transgender care banSpeed Read A law that bans transgender health care for minors and restricts treatment for adults is ruled "unconstitutional"
