What reclassifying marijuana could mean for legality [Video]

The initial HHS recommendation in August 2023 prompted claims that the scheduling change could make marijuana federally legal with a prescription. 

THE QUESTION

Could marijuana be federally legal with a prescription as a Schedule III drug?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

Yes, marijuana could be federally legal with a prescription as a Schedule III drug. 

WHAT WE FOUND

Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug would acknowledge that it has legitimate medical uses, opening the door for it to become a federally recognized prescription drug. But marijuana would still need approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before that happens, experts say. 

The federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) classifies drugs, substances and certain chemicals used to make drugs into five distinct categories called schedules. Those five categories are based on the …