Local official explains effects of possible marijuana reclassification

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Justice Department is considering moving marijuana from a schedule one drug to a schedule three drug.

Right now, the federal government classifies marijuana as a schedule one drug, in the same category as other drugs like heroin and lsd.

This category is defined as drugs that have no medical application and a high possibility to be abused.

The Justice Department is considering dropping marijuana to a schedule three drug, the same category as anabolic steroids and Tylenol with codeine.

We spoke with 26th Judicial District Attorney Jody Pickens to learn if this has any effect on Tennesseans.

“From a state perspective, the changes that are being reported to be made or considered being made at the federal level, will have nothing to do with the legality of marijuana for West Tennesseans or Tennesseans as a whole,” said Pickens.

But why? Currently, marijuana is listed as a schedule six drug in the state of Tennessee, the second lowest schedule.

“Anything less than a half ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor,” said Pickens.

Because Tennessee already lists marijuana as a schedule six drug, the federal government changing the schedule from one to three, will have no effect on Tennesseans.

“A substance can be perfectly legal at the state level and be illegal at the federal level and vice versa, so just because the federal authorities have determined that they’re going to reclassify marijuana, that does not affect the sovereignty of the state of Tennessee to make those decisions for the state of Tennessee,” said Pickens.

Once the Department of Justice makes the recommendation to lower its schedule, it could take months to take effect after a public comment period.

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