FDA Scientific Review Supports Reclassifying Marijuana as a Lower-Risk Substance
FDA review concludes that marijuana's potential for abuse is lower than other drugs in the same category, with scientific evidence supporting its medical benefits Calls for reclassification as a Schedule III substance
Researchers from the US Food and Drug Administration say that marijuana has a lower potential for abuse than other drugs that are subjected to the same restrictions, with scientific support for its use as a medical treatment, in documents supporting its reclassification as a Schedule III substance.
HHS has sent a recommendation on marijuana scheduling to the DEA for review.
Seth Wenig/AP
HHS official sends letter to DEA advocating for marijuana to be reclassified as a lower-risk drug under Schedule III
The FDA documents posted online reflect HHS's evaluation of scientific and medical evidence and its scheduling recommendation to the Department of Justice, HHS stated Friday.
According to the documents, members of the FDA's Controlled Substance Staff recommend rescheduling marijuana based on three criteria: lower potential for abuse than other substances on Schedules I and II, a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the US, and a low or moderate risk of physical dependence in people who abuse it. The National Institute on Drug Abuse supports this recommendation.
Despite the high prevalence of nonmedical marijuana use in the US, researchers point out that it does not produce severe outcomes like heroin, oxycodone, and cocaine. This observation is particularly significant considering the availability of products containing exceptionally high levels of Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active compound in cannabis.
Cannabis plants are seen at the Illicit Gardens production facility in Independence, Missouri on March 18, 2023. Despite being a largely conservative Midwestern state, Missouri recently joined the ranks of states legalizing recreational cannabis use. This new regulation, approved by voters in a November referendum, has led to an economic boom for the "Show Me" state, attracting thousands of marijuana consumers from neighboring states where the drug is still illegal. In February, cannabis sales in Missouri reached $103 million after recreational use was legalized, a significant increase from the $37.2 million in sales the previous month, according to the state's health department. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Discover which US states have legalized marijuana and learn about the growing regulation across the country. Additionally, the data suggests some scientific support for the therapeutic uses of marijuana, such as treating anorexia, pain, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. However, the researchers emphasize that this does not fully establish the safety and effectiveness of marijuana for specific health conditions.
The researchers highlight that heavy, chronic users may experience marijuana withdrawal, with symptoms peaking within days and declining over a week or two. In contrast, occasional users do not typically experience withdrawal. They note that marijuana withdrawal is less severe than alcohol withdrawal, which can involve serious symptoms such as agitation, paranoia, seizures, and even death. Instead, marijuana withdrawal is comparable to the withdrawal from long-term use of synthetic THC products and follows a similar timeline to that of tobacco withdrawal.
Sign up for CNN Health's weekly newsletter for the latest in health news and updates.
Subscribe now to receive The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, cannabis for adult recreational use has been legalized in 24 states, two territories, and DC, while 38 states allow medical use of cannabis products. The cannabis industry has grown into a multibillion-dollar market since the first adult-use sale in Colorado in 2014, attracting attention from multinational companies in sectors including alcohol, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and tobacco.
The DEA will ultimately decide on any changes to marijuana's scheduling, following a rulemaking process that allows for public comment before any scheduling action is confirmed.
This report includes contributions from CNN's Meg Tirrell, Jacqueline Howard, Kevin Liptak, and Alicia Wallace.
