WATCH: What does reclassification mean for marijuana users?

ABC News
April 23, 2026
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2 min read

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The Bottom Line

The federal government reclassified marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance.

How This Affects You

This change could reduce federal penalties for some marijuana offenses and impact state-legal cannabis businesses and research.

AI Summary

A new order from the federal government reclassifies marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. This change places state-licensed medical marijuana in the same category as certain pain medications, ketamine, and testosterone. The reclassification acknowledges marijuana's accepted medical uses and lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule I drugs. This move could reduce federal penalties for some marijuana-related offenses and may impact research and banking for state-legal cannabis businesses.

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