Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) thinks the Trump administration took an "important step" on Thursday after it redefined how the federal government classifies medical marijuana. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order immediately placing both FDA-approved marijuana products and marijuana regulated by state medical licenses in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
"Governor Shapiro has made clear that we need to catch up—practically every one of our neighbors has legalized marijuana and is benefiting from hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and revenue—and this important step by the federal government only adds support to the Governor's proposal," Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky told The Center Square. "The Shapiro Administration stands ready to work with the General Assembly to take advantage of this opportunity to legalize marijuana and make our Commonwealth more competitive and more just."
Since 1970, marijuana, alongside heroin, LSD and ecstasy, has been classified as a Schedule I drug. That designation defined those as drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Schedule III drugs are defined as having moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Some examples of Schedule III drugs are products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.
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