Over 33,000 Comments Flood DEA’s Cannabis Rescheduling Proposal As July 22 Submission Deadline Looms
As the public comment period for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) proposal to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act nears its July 22 deadline, the initiative has garnered significant public engagement. More than 33,000 comments have been submitted, reflecting a broad spectrum of opinions about cannabis policy in the U.S.
The proposal, initially published by the Department of Justice on May 21, suggests moving cannabis from Schedule I, which includes drugs deemed to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse, to Schedule III, which includes drugs with a lesser potential for abuse and accepted medical uses. This shift comes after the Department of Health and Human Services recommended the reclassification, acknowledging cannabis’s medical viability and lower abuse potential compared to substances like heroin and cocaine.
Broad Public Support For Rescheduling
Public sentiment, as aggregated by Benzinga from over 4,000 comments, shows wide support for rescheduling, with approximately 75.9% of feedback favoring the change. Many supporters emphasize the therapeutic …