Biden administration considers recommending easing marijuana restrictions

This decision begins a lengthy rulemaking process and could amount to a major shift in federal policy.

The Justice Department said Tuesday it has recommended loosening restrictions on marijuana, which could be a major shift in federal policy.

Although this decision, which begins a lengthy rule-making process, does not end drug criminalization, it does represent a significant change in how the government views safety and use medical marijuana. It also reflects the Biden administration's efforts to liberalize marijuana policy in ways that bring it more in line with public expectations as more Americans support legalization of the drug.

The decision comes at an opportune time for President Biden, who is trailing the presumptive Republican nominee, former President Donald J. Trump, as the election approaches of November, according to a recent CNN poll.

It could also lead to a relaxation of other laws and regulations that consider the use or possession of cannabis , including sentencing guidelines, banking services and access to social housing.

People close to the recommendation, speaking under cover speaking anonymously, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland planned to tell the White House Office of Management and Budget that the government should change the drug's categorization. Once the office evaluates the recommendation, it will still have a long way to go into effect, including submitting it for public comment.

The The Associated Press earlier reported the Justice Department's decision.

For more than half a century, marijuana has been considered a Schedule I drug, classified on the same level as highly addictive substances like heroin which the Drug Enforcement Administration describes as having no currently accepted medical use. Placing marijuana on Schedule III, as recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services in August, would put it alongside less addictive substances like Tylenol along with codeine, ketamine and testosterone, which means that it would be subject to fewer restrictions in terms of production and research, and that it could ultimately be prescribed by a doctor.

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