For decades, cannabis was grouped among the most restricted substances under U.S. federal law, classified as a Schedule I drug alongside compounds deemed to have no accepted medical value. That status has recently changed, reshaping how marijuana is viewed by regulators, researchers, and the cannabis industry at large. This page explains whether marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug, what its current federal classification means, how the reclassification process unfolded, and the practical implications for medical use, research, taxation, and enforcement. To understand how federal scheduling fits into the broader landscape of cannabis laws worldwide, see our comprehensive breakdown of cannabis regulations by location across U.S. states, major cities, and countries worldwide in the Cannabis Laws by Location guide.
Table of Contents
Is marijuana still a schedule 1 drug
Status (as of June 2025):
No. Marijuana is no longer classified as a Schedule I drug at the federal level in the United States.
What Changed:
- Date of Change: May 16, 2024
- Agency Action: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reclassified marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act’s Schedule I to Schedule III.
Old Classification – Schedule I:
New Classification – Schedule III:
- Accepted medical uses
- Moderate to low abuse potential
- Examples: Ketamine, anabolic steroids
Key Implications:
- Research: Easier to conduct medical studies on cannabis.
- Taxation: Cannabis businesses can now deduct standard business expenses.
- Medical Use: Acknowledges cannabis as having valid therapeutic value.
- Criminal Law: Does not federally legalize recreational use or expunge past convictions.
Why the Change Happened:
- President Biden ordered a federal review in 2022.
- Increased medical evidence of cannabis benefits (e.g., for pain, epilepsy, nausea).
- Broad state-level legalization and public support.
Bottom Line:
Marijuana is now a Schedule III drug, meaning it is no longer considered dangerous with no medical use. However, it remains federally regulated and is not yet fully legalized nationwide.
