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The U.S. Department of Justice has officially reclassified cannabis, moving it from a Schedule I narcotic to a Schedule III drug. This historic shift in federal policy places marijuana in the same legal category as Tylenol with codeine. The change follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last year, which directed the administration to begin the process to expand medical research and improve access.
Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. Despite the federal ban, most US states have legalised the medical or recreational use of marijuana, and many have shops where it can be purchased legally.
On Thursday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche ordered the official reclassification of products containing marijuana that are regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration and products that have received a state medical marijuana license.
The move had been expected to happen since December, when Trump first ordered the reclassification process to begin.
Once the rule change is published in the Federal Register, it has 30 days until it takes effect. During that time, it can be legally challenged - which is expected - and be blocked from being implemented for months or even years.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will hold a hearing on the change in late June.
