United States of America President, Joe Biden, has stated that no one should be imprisoned for using or possessing marijuana.
He expressed his support for the Department of Justice’s initiative to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law.
This reclassification would place marijuana in the same category as prescription drugs such as ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone, rather than alongside substances like heroin and LSD.
On Friday, Biden posted on his X page, saying, “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.”
“So today, the @TheJusticeDept is taking the next step to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law.
“Right now, marijuana has a higher-level classification than fentanyl and methamphetamine – the two drugs driving America’s overdose epidemic.
“That just doesn’t add up.
“At my request, and guided by science and evidence, HHS and DOJ have studied the drug’s medical use and abuse and dependence potential and are recommending rescheduling – concluding reclassification would remove barriers to critical research.
“No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.
“Today’s announcement builds on the work we’ve already done to pardon a record number of federal offences for simple possession of marijuana.
“I’m committed to writing those historic wrongs. You have my word.”
