Harris Hopes For Quick Action From DEA On Reclassifying Marijuana

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Vice President Kamala Harris is expressing hope that the reclassification of marijuana under federal law is on the fast track to being achieved, according to CNN.

Harris addressed the topic at a roundtable at the White House on Friday on marijuana reform.  In 2022, President Joe Biden launched an initiative by his administration to review how marijuana is classified under federal law.  As part of that effort, the Department of Health and Human Services has asked that marijuana be classified as a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substance Act rather than its current Schedule 1 classification, which is used for the most dangerous controlled substances.  The proposal will now be considered by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Harris emphasized that marijuana should not be placed in a similar category as other narcotics such as heroin and fentanyl.

“Marijuana is considered as dangerous as heroin and more dangerous than fentanyl, which is absurd, not to mention patently unfair,” Harris said. “I’m sure DEA is working as quickly as possible and will continue to do so and we look forward to the product of their work.”  The DEA confirmed in January that it is conducting its review, but there is no timetable for a decision.

The administration’s efforts to ease marijuana punishments have included pardoning all prior federal offenses for simple marijuana possession, with the president encouraging governors to do the same for similar offenses in their states.

Attending the roundtable with Harris were Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, musician Fat Joe, and people who have been pardoned for convictions involving marijuana.

Harris noted what she called the past injustices in federal marijuana policy. “I believe – I think we all at this table believe – nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed,” she said. “And what we need to do is recognize that far too many people have been sent to jail for simple marijuana possession.”   She added that enforcement of cannabis laws has disproportionately affected people of color.

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