US Health Department recommends easing federal restrictions on marijuana by lowering its drug classification

The US Department of Health and Human Services has recommended lowering federal penalties and restrictions on marijuana by lowering its drug classification.

HHS suggested that the Drug Enforcement Administration reduce the devil’s lettuce from a Schedule I drug — a classification that includes heroin and LSD — to a Schedule III drug, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday.

“HHS has done the right thing,” Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement. “DEA should now follow through on this important step to greatly reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.”

Rescheduling the drug could ease or even end the criminal prosecution of weed users.

Schedule I drugs are classified by the DEA as substances that have no “currently accepted” medical use in the US, “a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.”

Marijuana, however, is currently legal for medical use in 38 states and for recreational use by adults in 23, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Schedule III drugs “have a potential for abuse less than substances in Schedules I or II and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence,” according to the DEA.

The recommendation was applauded by several Senate leaders, but some said marijuana should be descheduled altogether — decriminalizing the widely-used drug.

The nonprofit US Cannabis Council also praised the recommendation.

“We enthusiastically welcome today’s news. … Rescheduling will have a broad range of benefits, including signaling to the criminal justice system that cannabis is a lower priority and providing a crucial economic lifeline to the cannabis industry,” the council said in a statement.

With Post wires