Drug Enforcement Agency pushing to get marijuana re-classified

The Drug Enforcement Agency is making a push to have marijuana reclassified from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug.
Published: May. 1, 2024 at 10:49 PM EDT

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - The Drug Enforcement Agency is recognizing marijuana’s medical uses and how those uses may result in less abuse than more dangerous drugs.

This shift by the U.S government could lead to wide reaching effects across the nation.

The DEA plans to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 drug. Schedule 1 drugs include LSD and heroin, while Schedule 3 features anabolic steroids and ketamine.

If the proposal by the DEA is approved, marijuana would be reclassified as the less dangerous drug.

”This opens up wide access to different banking regulations, insurance, more tax deductions that weren’t available to use before. And we’re treated like a normal business once this goes through,” said Kittrick Jeffries, CEO of Puffy’s Dispensary.

Jeffries says the reclassification could lead to an increase in advertising for medical marijuana in the state, meaning more radio and television spots for the drug.

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