News

Actions

Government won't reclassify marijuana, will remain on the list of the most dangerous drugs

Posted at 9:57 AM, Aug 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-11 11:42:13-04

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration isn't going to reclassify marijuana and remove it from the list of the most dangerous drugs.

>> VOTE: Scroll below to vote in our survey question

The Drug Enforcement Administration says in a lengthy notice in the Federal Registry that it consulted with the Health and Human Services Department and concluded that marijuana will remain in the class of drugs that have "no accepted medical use in the United States."

The agency is opening the door to further medical research of the drug by expanding the number of agencies that can legally grow marijuana for research purposes. Currently only researchers at the University of Missouri have the government's permission to grow pot.

The DEA says it reviewed the classification for marijuana after requests from the former governors of Rhode Island and Washington state.