NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee are celebrating the news that marijuana will be reclassified as a less dangerous drug according to the federal schedule.
After more than 50 years, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency announced it would move to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids, following a recommendation from the federal Health and Human Services Department. Prior to the move, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug alongside heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and peyote.
Schedule I drugs are considered to have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Some examples of Schedule III drugs include products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.
According to the DEA, the proposal must still be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, as well as open up a public comment period before it can publish the final rule.
Democrats in Tennessee lauded the news.
“Reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug at the federal level is a historic decision driven by common sense,” Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman London Lamar (D-Memphis) said. “Republican lawmakers have kept Tennessee in the dark ages on marijuana policy—wasting our tax dollars locking people up for a plant. While my ultimate goal is still legalization in Tennessee, this is incredible news for folks who would benefit right now from natural medical cannabis to treat chronic pain or illness.”
State Rep. Jesse Chism (D-Memphis) released the following statement:
“I’m greatly encouraged by the possibility of the DEA recommending that marijuana be reclassified down from a Schedule One drug. Our state has spent millions and millions of taxpayer dollars to enforce cannabis laws that are outdated and harmful to a lot of people, including many Tennesseans who are trying to get relief from painful chronic medical issues. In addition to wasting those dollars, we’ve completely ignored the financial benefits that could be coming the state’s way. I’ve filed several pieces of legislation ranging from allowing medical use to decriminalization to even trying to put a non-binding referendum on the ballot to hear from Tennessee’s voters. The main point of contention has always been its federal classification. Hopefully, with this movement we can start the ball rolling soon and begin having serious discussions here in Tennessee.”
News 2 has reached out to several Republicans for their thoughts as well, including State Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma), who has filed multiple bills to legalize medical cannabis use in Tennessee.
All previous attempts have been killed in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The last time Bowling brought her medical cannabis bill was 2023. Last year, Republican Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) said he supported the measure, saying he heard from multiple constituent groups that medical cannabis would be a better treatment than opioids.
His position on the subject had also evolved over the years, he told News 2.
“When I first ran for office, I was probably like a lot of people and ‘no’ to marijuana,” he said. “We looked at it more like the whole medical concept was a thin veil for recreational use, and we were pretty skeptical about it. Then over the years, as products have become available and people have been able to go to other states and get medical grade products that they want, the feedback that we get is these products work. They’re helpful, and someone who’s in a chronic pain situation might get some relief from it.”
