Table of Contents
Is marijuana still a schedule 1 drug
Status (as of June 2025):
No. Marijuana is no longer classified as a Schedule I drug at the federal level in the United States.
What Changed:
- Date of Change: May 16, 2024
- Agency Action: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reclassified marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act’s Schedule I to Schedule III.
Old Classification – Schedule I:
- No accepted medical use
- High potential for abuse
- Examples: Heroin, LSD
New Classification – Schedule III:
- Accepted medical uses
- Moderate to low abuse potential
- Examples: Ketamine, anabolic steroids
Key Implications:
- Research: Easier to conduct medical studies on cannabis.
- Taxation: Cannabis businesses can now deduct standard business expenses.
- Medical Use: Acknowledges cannabis as having valid therapeutic value.
- Criminal Law: Does not federally legalize recreational use or expunge past convictions.
Why the Change Happened:
- President Biden ordered a federal review in 2022.
- Increased medical evidence of cannabis benefits (e.g., for pain, epilepsy, nausea).
- Broad state-level legalization and public support.
Bottom Line:
Marijuana is now a Schedule III drug, meaning it is no longer considered dangerous with no medical use. However, it remains federally regulated and is not yet fully legalized nationwide.
