Vice President Kamala Harris “fully supports” the DEA’s decision to reschedule marijuana, while clarifying her support for legalization.
(Photo credit: Don Vonmoore / AFP Via Getty Images).
On Tuesday, it was reported that following an over eight-month review by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), they will be rescheduling marijuana. This development was confirmed by an official with the Department of Justice the following day.
While Vice President Kamala Harris has not publicly commented via social media or press releases, a campaign official conveyed via email that “Vice President Harris fully supports the decision to move marijuana to Schedule III, and she’s excited for the positive impact this move will have.”
Furthermore, the official emphasized that “Despite this significant step forward, Vice President Harris continues to say that we need to go further and legalize marijuana.”
Last month, VP Harris made history as the first vice president to openly support marijuana legalization, saying “we need to legalize marijuana” during an event highlighting the administration’s marijuana pardons.
The DEA’s decision to reschedule marijuana—which will not fully legalize it but will permit its prescription use—is pending approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget. Once approved, it will be published in the Federal Register, initiating a 30-day public comment period as required by law.
Currently classified as a Schedule I drug, marijuana is illegal for all purposes. The reclassification to Schedule III will allow its legal prescription nationwide, offering federal protections to state-legal medical marijuana patients and businesses not available under the current law.
