The US Drug Enforcement Agency Considers Including Cannabis on Its List of Legal Drugs?

August 1, 2016 is the date indicated by those who claim that that the legal status of marijuana is about to see a 180-degree turn in the country. According to these sources, in the coming weeks the DEA plans to announce its decision to remove marijuana from Category 1 of its controlled substances classifications, the most restrictive of the five established.

Apparently the date chosen for the announcement of the decision was selected to coincide with the days prior to the US presidential election, in order to motivate the Democratic base to vote for candidate Hillary Clinton.

A development of this magnitude would effectively mean the legalisation of marijuana prescriptions throughout the United States. It is worth pointing out that to date 25 states (in addition to Washington, DC) have chosen to recognise the rights of marijuana consumers, though to varying degrees. If this information proves true, the other 25 states still waiting to take the big step would join them.

Category 2, the classification marijuana would fall under, includes other commonly-prescribed legal drugs, like oxytocin. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 defines as Category-1 substances as those with high potential for abuse and very limited or no medical value, including drugs like LSD, heroin and ecstasy.

It is to be expected, therefore, in view of the growing number of studies pointing to the benefits of treatments with marijuana, that the US Drug Enforcement Agency will consider amending the plant's status – and sooner than later. It is important to remember that the DEA does not often downgrade a substance; if it does so with marijuana, it would be only the sixth case in its history.

It should not be overlooked that the enforcement of laws governing marijuana places a heavy financial burden on this agency. This, plus the fact that about 75% of US citizens are in favour of legalising marijuana for medical use, makes it entirely understandable that the authorities are at least considering modifying the existing legislation. To corroborate this speculation we can only wait for the specified date, or for the DEA to issue a statement on this issue.