The U.S. Department of Justice is easing restrictions on some marijuana products in a historical move.
But will it have an impact on Kentucky’s medical marijuana industry?
The DOJ moved to reclassify some marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
This does not fully legalize marijuana nationwide. But it could ease restrictions for state-regulated medical cannabis businesses.
For decades, marijuana was classified in the federal government’s strictest drug category alongside drugs like heroin and LSD. But now, the DOJ is recognizing medical value in some cannabis products.
For Kentucky’s emerging medical cannabis industry, that could mean tax relief and fewer federal barriers.
The DOJ also says the change could expand research and improve patient access.
WLKY spoke with the co-founder of Cornbread Hemp in Louisville, and he says this is a big deal because since 1970 cannabis has been a Schedule I substance.
“And in that time, we’ve seen 40 states adopt medical marijuana programs and 25 states adopt adult-use marijuana programs,” Jim Higdon, Cornbread Hemp, said. “And finally, the federal government is beginning to realize that schedule one was not the appropriate place and not the appropriate classification for cannabis. And that was brought down to schedule three, which is still, in many eyes, you know, too strict of a classification. So this is a process… the first step in the right direction.”
A hearing is scheduled in June as the federal government considers broader reclassification.
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