The United States is in the midst of an intriguing crossroad with regards to its often controversial stance on marijuana and its medical uses. Much anticipated is a pending decision by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding a potential reclassification of marijuana, from its current designation as a Schedule 1 substance to a Schedule 3 substance within the Controlled Substances Act.
Recently, the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who was speaking in front of a House committee, sent ripples through the cannabis industry by declaring there was “no reason” for the DEA to delay this monumental decision any longer. A rescheduling of this nature has the potential to alter the landscape of the burgeoning cannabis industry significantly, impacting both patients and providers alike.
A Turning Point in Cannabis Legislation
Schedule 1 drugs, according to the DEA, are substances or chemicals with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. This category includes drugs such as heroin, LSD, and astonishingly, marijuana.
Schedule 3 drugs, in contrast, are classified as substances with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence, and include products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone. If the DEA accepts the FDA chief’s view and reschedules marijuana, it would officially acknowledge the plant’s medicinal value and potentially open up more avenues for research and medicinal usage.
Impact on MMJ.com and Medical Marijuana Patients
Unsurprisingly, the potential rescheduling has stirred emotions and generated plenty of discourse within the medical marijuana community. MMJ.com is a leading provider of medical marijuana cards in the US for both new patients and renewals. A change to Schedule 3 would significantly alter the current landscape for these cardholders and the industry at large.
- More Recognition of Medicinal Benefits: A shift to Schedule 3 would mean an official acceptance by the Federal Government of marijuana’s medicinal benefits, a factor that could potentially allow more patients to qualify for a New York Medical Marijuana Card, for example.
- More Research Opportunities: With the current Schedule 1 classification, it is extremely difficult for scientists and medical professionals to conduct wide-ranging research on marijuana due to the inherent legal difficulties and lack of federal funding. A rescheduling would likely unlock new possibilities and research avenues, potentially leading to innovative breakthroughs in marijuana-based medicine.
- More Opportunities for Business: For MMJ.com and similar businesses, a shift to Schedule 3 would potentially open up new markets and opportunities. Having federal recognition of marijuana’s medicinal potential would likely ease some regulations and barriers to entry, paving the way for a potential surge in business growth.
While the DEA’s decision remains pending, the outspoken words from the FDA chief certainly represent a beacon of hope for medical marijuana patients and the industry that serves them. With the medical benefits of marijuana becoming increasingly recognized, the hope is that such progress will inevitably lead to reforms that enable better access, increased research, and reduced stigma around this immensely beneficial plant.
