The federal government still thinks pot is as dangerous as heroin

The Drug Enforcement Agency will not reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug despite petitions asking for a reconsideration.

(Image credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

published 11 August 2016

The Drug Enforcement Administration will not reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, despite two petitions asking for it be reconsidered. Instead, marijuana will remain categorized with the most restricted drugs, like heroin and LSD, ABC News reports.

"Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance because it does not meet the criteria for currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, there is a lack of accepted safety for its use under medical supervision, and it has a high potential for abuse," the DEA said. By comparison, Ritalin, Adderall, and oxycodone are lower-level Schedule II drugs.

The DEA reviewed marijuana "to help facilitate scientific research and the development of cannabinoid-based medicines," but said they still need to do more research to determine the extent of the medical effects of the drug. Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Maine, and Nevada are considering the full legalization of marijuana on the ballot this November, with Arkansas and Florida voting on medical marijuana proposals. The drug is already legalized for recreational use in Alaska, Oregon, Washington State, the District of Columbia, and Colorado.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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