On Wednesday Family Council submitted a formal comment urging the U.S. Department of Justice not to reclassify marijuana.
In May the Biden Administration’s Justice Department announced plans to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug — putting it in the same category as anabolic steroids or Tylenol with Codeine.
The rule change would not legalize marijuana outright, but it could create more confusion about marijuana’s legal status and make it much easier for people to grow and use marijuana.
This proposed rule change comes despite growing evidence of marijuana’s serious — and permanent — impact on physical and mental health.
A body of scientific research reveals that marijuana is harmful — especially for teens and young adults.
Nationwide, since 2019, the number of kids diagnosed with cannabis-induced mental disorders, including schizophrenia and psychotic episodes, has increased by 50%.
And research has shown time and again that marijuana has a significant potential for dependence and abuse.
The federal government is accepting public comments on its proposal to redesignate marijuana as a Schedule III Controlled Substance. Below are some of the comments Family Council submitted on Wednesday.
Marijuana does not meet the basic criteria of a Schedule III controlled substance. The Controlled Substances Act requires Schedule III controlled substances to have an accepted medical use in the United States. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved marijuana for the treatment of any disease or condition.
Marijuana poses a high potential for abuse and dependence. A 2015 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found “nearly 3 of 10 marijuana users manifested a marijuana use disorder [abuse or dependence] in 2012-2013.” This, coupled with the fact that it currently has no accepted medical use in the United States, should prevent it from being classified as a Schedule III substance.
An emerging body of scientific research shows marijuana is a harmful, psychoactive substance. A 2024 study published in the journal Psychological Medicine estimates teens who use marijuana are at an 11 times higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder compared to teens who do not use marijuana. Studies closely link marijuana use with increased risk for depression and bipolar disorder and to higher rates of schizophrenia.
Transferring marijuana to schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act would signal that marijuana has an accepted medical use when it actually does not. It would ignore the potential for abuse and dependence among users. And it would risk contributing to psychotic disorders and mental illnesses in America. We ask that you not reschedule marijuana at this time.
You can click here to submit a comment concerning the proposal to reschedule marijuana.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
