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Greg Abbott pardon Israel-Hamas war Trump trial Tiger Woods 'Bridgerton' Season 3 Politics Justice Department formally moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in historic shift FILE - Cannabis clones are displayed for customers at Home Grown Apothecary, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. The Justice Department has formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in a historic shift to generations of drug policy in the United States. A proposed rule sent Thursday to the federal register recognizes the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation's most dangerous drugs. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File) FILE - Cannabis clones are displayed for customers at Home Grown Apothecary, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. The Justice Department has formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in a historic shift to generations of drug policy in the United States. A proposed rule sent Thursday to the federal register recognizes the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation's most dangerous drugs. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File) [] By LINDSAY WHITEHURST Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * X * Reddit * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department on Thursday formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a historic shift in generations of U.S. drug policy. A proposed rule sent to the federal register recognizes the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledges it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation's most dangerous drugs. The plan approved by Attorney General Merrick Garland would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use. The Drug Enforcement Administration will next take public comment on the proposal in a potentially lengthy process. If approved, the rule would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Pot would instead be a Schedule III substance, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids. The move comes after a recommendation from the federal Health and Human Services Department, which launched a review of the drug's status at the urging of President Joe Biden in 2022. READ MORE Budtender Rey Cruz weighs cannabis for a customer at the Marijuana Paradise on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) What marijuana reclassification means for the United States Cloud 9 Cannabis CEO and co-owner Sam Ward Jr., left, and co-owner Dennis Turner pose at their shop, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Arlington, Wash. Cloud 9 is one of the first dispensaries to open under the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board's social equity program, established in efforts to remedy some of the disproportionate effects marijuana prohibition had on communities of color. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) The drug war devastated Black and other minority communities. Is marijuana legalization helping? President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One for departure from the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Washington. Biden is headed to Delaware. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Biden's historic marijuana shift is his latest election year move for young voters Biden also has moved to pardon thousands of people convicted federally of simple possession of marijuana and has called on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase convictions. "This is monumental," Biden said in a video statement, calling it an important move toward reversing longstanding inequities. "Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I'm committed to righting those wrongs. You have my word on it." The election year announcement could help Biden, a Democrat, boost flagging support, particularly among younger voters. The notice kicks off a 60-day comment period followed by a possible review from an administrative judge, which could be a drawn-out process. Biden and a growing number of lawmakers from both major political parties have been pushing for the DEA decision as marijuana has become increasingly decriminalized and accepted, particularly by younger people. Some argue that rescheduling doesn't go far enough and marijuana should instead be treated the way alcohol is. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York applauded the change and called for additional steps toward legalization. The U.S. Cannabis Council, a trade group, said the switch would "signal a tectonic shift away from the failed policies of the last 50 years." The Justice Department said that available data reviewed by HHS shows that while marijuana "is associated with a high prevalence of abuse," that potential is more in line with other Schedule III substances, according to the proposed rule. The HHS recommendations are binding until the draft rule is submitted, and Garland agreed with it for the purposes of starting the process. Still, the DEA has not yet formed its own determination as to where marijuana should be scheduled, and it expects to learn more during the rulemaking process, the document states. Some critics argue the DEA shouldn't change course on marijuana, saying rescheduling isn't necessary and could lead to harmful side effects. Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy adviser now with the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said there isn't enough data to support moving pot to Schedule III. "As we've maintained throughout this process, it's become undeniable that politics, not science, is driving this decision and has been since the very beginning," Sabet said. The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation's criminal justice system is expected to be muted. Federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years. Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution. Federal drug policy has lagged behind many states in recent years, with 38 states having already legalized medical marijuana and 24 legalizing its recreational use. That's helped fuel fast growth in the marijuana industry, with an estimated worth of nearly $30 billion. Easing federal regulations could reduce the tax burden that can be 70% or more for marijuana businesses, according to industry groups. It also could make it easier to research marijuana, since it's very difficult to conduct authorized clinical studies on Schedule I substances. ___ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington and Joshua Goodman in Miami contributed to this report. ___ Follow the AP's coverage of marijuana at https://apnews.com/hub/ marijuana. LINDSAY WHITEHURST LINDSAY WHITEHURST Whitehurst is a national criminal justice reporter for The Associated Press, based in Washington, D.C. She covers the Justice Department, public safety and legal issues. twitter mailto [] The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. 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