Cannabis, testosterone, and codeine Tylenol should all be classified the same

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is asking the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reschedule marijuana. In an August 29 letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, an HHS official called for marijuana to be reclassified from a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act to a Schedule III drug. The shift would have major positive implications, even if it wouldn’t go far enough.

What rescheduling would mean: Schedule I drugs are considered to have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” The DEA places marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and peyote in this category.

Meanwhile, Schedule III drugs are considered to have “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence” and are legal when prescribed by a doctor. The DEA places ketamine, testosterone, and Tylenol with codeine in this category.