The Justice Department is expected to propose a new, lower classification for marijuana that would lessen restrictions on the drug. But there’s another review process to come.
The Biden administration is expected to take another step toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a move President Biden promised when he was running for office in 2019, and that could be popular with young voters this year.
Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, which comes with the most restrictions. Other drugs in the category include heroin, ecsatsy and LSD.
But the Justice Department will recommend a new rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday that would move pot to a lower schedule, two people familiar with the decision confirmed to NPR. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the decision before it was made public.
