NORTH ALABAMA (WHNT) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is poised to make a landmark change to the federal government’s position on marijuana. According to the agency’s proposal, marijuana would no longer be considered among the most dangerous and addictive substances.

Today, marijuana is easier than ever to obtain and has become an industry worth billions of dollars in the United States. Recognizing this, the DEA has moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

“There are basically five schedules under the Controlled Substance Act,” Former U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Alabama Jay Town said. “Think of it as sort of a range one through five…five being the least addictive and one being the most addictive.”

Marijuana currently resides as a Schedule I controlled substance – it’s in the same tier as heroin.

Under the DEA’s proposal, marijuana would be classified as a Schedule III drug. It would still be a controlled substance and subject to rules and regulations. People who traffic marijuana without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution under the Schedule III classification.

“When it no longer is a scheduled level one narcotic, there are implications to the United States criminal code,” Town said. “There is a uniformed standard right now, it just isn’t being enforced.”

Town says if pot becomes a Schedule lll or lV drug, Alabama will have to re-work its sentencing guidelines for such criminal activity. He says we have a long way to go before we reach that point.

“This process could last well over a year, and we might be in a new administration by then and completely have reversed course,” Town stated. 

The DEA’s proposal still has to be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification.

After the public-comment period, the agency would then publish the final rule.