Warning: This article contains discussion of drug addiction which some readers may find distressing.
With around 48 percent of US adults saying they’ve tried marijuana at least once, attention is turning to the potential long-term impacts of cannabis as the Trump administration pushes to reclassify the drug.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the policy shift yesterday (April 23), following an instruction from the president last year to start the process of changing how marijuana is categorized under federal rules.
Trump has framed the move as a way to broaden access to the drug and enable more scientific study of its effects, including for medical use.
This latest announcement applies specifically to marijuana-related products that have Food and Drug Administration approval or are licensed for medical use.
Blanche said these products will be transferred out of the most restrictive federal category and into a less restrictive one. Since 1970, marijuana has been listed as a Schedule I controlled substance, a designation used for drugs considered to have a “high potential for abuse.”
He also called for a hearing that could examine whether marijuana overall should be reclassified, even as legalization has expanded across many states.
Although marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, a growing number of states permit it for medical purposes, recreational use, or both, and some allow regulated retail sales.
Speaking at a press conference, Blanche said: “The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options.
“This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”
Morgan Fox, representing the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, has said roughly two-thirds of Americans back full legalization.
‘The real solution’, he says, ‘is to de-schedule cannabis at the federal level’.
Figures from the National Institutes of Health suggest an estimated 50 to 60 million Americans used marijuana in the last year, with overall use nearly doubling over the past 20 years.
However, the American Addiction Centers notes that changing public attitudes do not eliminate potential harms.
Marijuana consists of the dried leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant, and repeated use can be associated with several long-term health effects.
One frequently cited concern is respiratory health.
With long-term, frequent use, some people may develop a persistent cough or bronchitis, and may face a greater risk of infections such as pneumonia and other lung-related complications.
Some research has also raised the possibility of an association between marijuana use in adolescence and an increased risk of a more aggressive type of testicular cancer.
There are additional concerns about cannabis use while the brain is still developing. Reports have suggested that adolescent use could affect learning, memory, and impulse control.
Marijuana has also been connected in some studies to higher risks of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Finally, dependence can develop. Because marijuana can be addictive, starting at a younger age may increase the likelihood of problematic use over time.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can call American Addiction Centers on (313) 209-9137 24/7, or contact them through their website.