Marijuana could soon be reclassified as a less dangerous drug

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Department of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is looking to soon reclassify Marijuana to be seen as a "less dangerous drug."

Marijuana could soon move from a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin and LSD, to Schedule III, which would put it in the same category as acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol.

“I think it's the right step towards to, you know, breaking the stigma right now," shared Susan Hwang, Yuma Dispensary owner and founder.

Susan Hwang, owner, and founder of the only dispensary in Yuma shared what it would mean if the reclassification goes through.

“All the city taxes and county taxes that we collect and pay to the government. It helps the local community of Yuma…. Hopefully, with the destigmatization of cannabis and reschedule cannabis, we hope to see many people that will come to Yuma Dispensary for different ailments and condition," explained Hwang.

I also got to talk to some locals to hear their thoughts on the possibility of reclassifying Marijuana.

“I do think it should be classified as a less dangerous drug…I think it's because it's natural and it doesn't do any harm," said Muminah Lamarre, a Yuma local.

Others believe it should stay classified in the same category as heroin.

“I don’t agree, because Marijuana is something that harms your body, it's not safe," said Julio Morales, a Yuma local.

As of right now, recreational Marijuana is only legal in 24 states in the U.S., nearly half of the country.

And Hwang said this would not only be the right step in legalizing Marijuana across the country.

“So I think it's a right step towards to descheduling it opens up, you know, the more involvement and studies of research being done here in the us," said Hwang.

Once it is published in the federal register, the proposal will go through a 60-day public comment period and then it is set to be reviewed by an administrative law judge.

Even as a Schedule III drug, Marijuana would remain regulated by the DEA and dispensaries would need to register with the DEA like regular pharmacies and follow strict reporting guidelines.

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