PENNSYLVANIA, USA — After five decades of being listed as a "street" drug, marijuana could soon have that label lifted.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced plans to move the drug from its current Schedule I designation to a less dangerous Schedule III.
"I think it's been a long time coming," Executive Director of The Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition Meredith Buettner said. "It's a very exciting step in the right direction."
Buettner believes a proposed change in cannabis classification by the DEA could have benefits in Pennsylvania.
"It also changes the tax status for state-legal cannabis businesses," she said. "[It] will allow cannabis operators to invest in their businesses, invest in job creation, and invest back into their communities."
The move would also allow for more federal research on the substance.
The DEA currently classifies drugs in a schedule system, one through five. Schedule I is the highest, consisting of drugs with no medical use and a high risk for abuse.
Marijuana has been sitting at the top as a Schedule I drug since 1970 with other drugs like heroin and ecstasy. Under the DEA's proposed move, the drug moves down from Schedule I to Schedule III. In that category, it would be listed as with less addicting controlled substances such as Tylenol with codeine and anabolic steroids.
Groups like Smart Approaches to Marijuana believe a rescheduling is right on schedule with the 2024 election – and lacks scientific support.
"As early as just 2016, the Obama administration did a rescheduling review for marijuana," Executive Vice President Luke Niforatos said. "They determined through the testing that it should remain schedule one."
Niforatos also raises concerns that marijuana use disorders have risen in the last decade.
"Our National Institutes of Health tell us the latest research shows one in three people will develop a cannabis use disorder or addiction to today's high potency marijuana," he said.
It will stay a controlled substance under both state and federal law.
State Representative Paul Schemel (R-Franklin), who serves as the Pennsylvania House Health Subcommittee Republican Chair, says Schedule III is the right fit for marijuana.
"That would help really to bring that medical marijuana program that Pennsylvania has kind of into full conformity with federal law," Representative Franklin said.
The change will have to go through multiple federal agencies and a judicial review before going into effect.