President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would expand access to cannabis, a long anticipated move that would mark the most significant shift in US drug policy in decades.
The order is expected to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I narcotic to a Schedule III drug - placing it under the same category as Tylenol with codeine, US media reports suggest.
Even if recategorised, cannabis will remain illegal at the federal level. However, classifying it as a Schedule III narcotic would allow expanded research to be conducted into its potential benefits.
Several Republican lawmakers have cautioned against the move, with some arguing it could normalize cannabis use.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency notes that Schedule III narcotics - which also include ketamine and anabolic steroids - have only a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
The executive order could come as early as Thursday, although the timing might change.
The new classification could also influence tax implications for state-authorized cannabis dispensaries, as current regulations block them from claiming certain tax deductions for Schedule I products.
Various US news reports indicate that the order might also introduce a pilot program allowing reimbursement for cannabidiol (CBD) for older Americans dealing with conditions like cancer.
Currently, a majority of US states have legalized cannabis for medical use, and nearly half have allowed it for recreational use. However, since 1971, cannabis has been designated a Schedule I narcotic, meaning it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Earlier this week, Trump stated he was considering the reclassification due to tremendous amounts of research that cannot be conducted unless we reclassify.
The Biden administration had proposed a similar reclassification, with DEA initiatives hung up in administrative and legal hurdles.
Trump has long aimed to reform US drug policy regarding cannabis, advocating for an end to imprisonments for possession of small quantities: I believe it is time to end endless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use, he stated.
Opposition from some Republican Senators highlighted concerns about the health effects of cannabis, fearing normalization could impede America's re-industrialization efforts.
Despite resistance, public opinion seems to lean towards legalization, with Gallup polling showing about 64% of Americans favoring legalization, although support among Republicans has dipped recently.
