FDA Considers Reclassifying Marijuana as Less Dangerous Drug

Now that 23 states have approved marijuana for medical use and others, including Colorado, for recreational use, the Food and Drug Administration is thinking it may be time to reclassify the drug.

Currently, marijuana is a Schedule I Drug and falls in the same classification as heroin and LSD. Drugs in this classification are those which are considered highly addictive and have no accepted medical use.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, FDA Press Officer Jeff Ventura said they are analyzing medical evidence to determine if the the safety and effectiveness of marijuana merits downgrading the drug.

Ventura says the review process includes not only the FDA, but also the Health and Human Services Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency so it's unknown how long the process could take.

Even if reclassified, marijuana would still be illegal under federal law. However, the reclassification could ease federal restrictions on the states where marijuana is legal for medical use.

Colorado and Oregon, the two states where marijuana is legal for recreational use, may also find the reclassification helpful as it could potentially ease restrictions on business deductions, taxes and banking related to the retail sales of marijuana.

[Huffington Post]