Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..
A few clouds. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: April 24, 2026 @ 2:47 am
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) — The federal government is moving to reclassify marijuana, a change that could expand research into its medical uses and provide tax relief for dispensaries.
Marijuana is currently listed as a Schedule I drug, alongside substances such as heroin and ecstasy. The shift would move it to Schedule III, placing it in the same category as drugs like ketamine, testosterone, and Tylenol with codeine.
The advocacy group Smart Approaches to Marijuana is criticizing the move.
The organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana is speaking out against reclassifying the drug as a Schedule III drug.
“This order is flagrantly illegal; it violates so many laws. It’s going to be hard even to list them all in a lawsuit,” said Luke Niforatos, SAM executive vice president.
Niforatos said the change would elevate the marijuana industry and reward what he calls unsafe practices.
“This decision is only going to serve to bolster what the marijuana industry is doing across the country,” he said. “Targeting kids, using child-friendly packaging, gummies, candies, ice creams, all laced with very highly potent marijuana. Now the industry is going to be rewarded for that behavior.”
He added that while rescheduling would allow for expanded research, he believes that aspect is being used as a distraction.
“What comes with it is not only recognition for state-level medical marijuana programs, but also a giant, more than $2 billion tax break for the marijuana industry across the country,” Niforatos said.
Niforatos said his organization, along with other groups and potentially state attorneys general, plans to challenge the decision in court.
The reclassification will not decriminalize marijuana or make it legal for recreational use at the federal level. It would also not change current criminal penalties related to the drug.
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