US drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, AP sources say

The US DEA plans to reclassify marijuana as less harmful, recognizing its medical uses and lower potential for abuse. This proposal, pending review, would move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, following health department advice. President Biden supports this change, aiming to right past convictions. DEA's move aims to align with public sentiment towards marijuana, increasingly accepted and decriminalized. However, critics warn of risks, such as marijuana's possible gateway effect. The shift could impact the industry economically, improving research opportunities and reducing tax burdens.