The US Department of Health and Human Services Recognizes Medical Benefits of Cannabis

Today, over 90% of Americans support the medical legalization of cannabis. This is a big leap from the 1970s when cannabis was classified as a Schedule 1 substance. This current classification means that cannabis is a substance of high abuse potential with no accepted medical use. But this viewpoint is changing and the shift to a cannabis-friendly America is coming.

In a groundbreaking acknowledgment, the U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has affirmed the medicinal potential of cannabis, highlighting its lower addiction risk compared to similar substances. This move marks a pivotal step in the ongoing journey toward federal legalization.

The HHS states: “There exists some credible scientific support for the medical use of marijuana in at least one of the indications for which there is widespread current experience in the United States.”

What Happened?

In October 2022, President Joe Biden issued an executive order requesting a comprehensive research review.

In August 2023, as a result of the President’s directive, the HHS conducted the research review.
Based on the findings of the review, the HHS recommended the reclassification of cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, alongside substances like ketamine and codeine.

In January 2024, following litigation over a Freedom of Information Act request, the HHS released more than 250 documents titled “Basis For The Recommendation To Reschedule Marijuana Into Schedule III of The Controlled Substances Act”.

Rescheduling cannabis as a Schedule 3 substance would mean:

• The removal of 280E tax penalties
• Reduction of criminal liability
• Facilitation of research
• Enhancement of industry credibility
• Medical community engagement
• Support for the American economy

Publication Overview

Here is a breakdown and overview of the article:

The HHS’ official publication discusses the recommendation to control cannabis in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. The paper evaluates the eight factors determinative of control and presents the basis for the recommendation to reschedule marijuana into Schedule III of the CSA. Several key points are covered including:

• President Biden’s request to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law
• The history and current pattern of cannabis abuse
• The scientific evidence of cannabis’ pharmacological effects
• The chemistry of cannabis
• Clinical trials for FDA-approved marijuana-containing drug products
• Human abuse potential studies
• The state of current scientific knowledge regarding cannabis

The study explores various data sources to assess the health risks linked with cannabis, cocaine, alcohol, heroin, and benzodiazepines. The data suggests that while cannabis use can lead to negative consequences and substance use disorder, its effects seem to be less widespread and less severe compared to alcohol, heroin, and cocaine.

The paper concludes with a recommendation to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, based on its potential for abuse, accepted medical use, and the likelihood of moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

The HHS’ study revealed that cannabis use disorder, characterized by psychological dependence, occurs in approximately 10 to 20 percent of regular cannabis users. This prevalence is lower compared to tobacco, opiates, and alcohol.

What’s Next?

Just before the Department of Health and Human Services publicly recognized the medical benefits of cannabis for the first time, the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated its review of cannabis’s classification under the Controlled Substances Act. Now, the decision rests with the DEA, which will formulate its recommendation using its own five-factor test, while also considering those put forth by the HHS.

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In conclusion, the recognition of cannabis’s medical potential by the HHS signals a significant shift in national attitudes toward the substance. However, the decision now lies with the DEA, which will weigh its assessment against the HHS’s recommendation. As the nation awaits the DEA’s decision, the journey towards a more cannabis-friendly America continues, promising potential benefits in healthcare, research, and the economy.

Read the US Department of Health and Human Services official 252-page BASIS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION TO RESCHEDULE MARIJUANA INTO SCHEDULE III OF THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT here.