Medical marijuana products legal at the state level could soon face looser federal restrictions under a new order from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The order shifts many marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law, a change that allows for expanded research and potential tax benefits for businesses operating legally under state programs.
Officials say the move will make it easier to study the safety and effectiveness of medical marijuana and could provide better information for doctors and patients.
The change applies only to state-licensed medical marijuana products and does not immediately impact recreational marijuana, which remains more tightly regulated at the federal level.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has also scheduled a hearing beginning June 29 to consider broader reclassification, which could include recreational use in the future.
While the move represents a significant shift in federal policy, officials note it does not immediately address challenges such as access to banking for marijuana-related businesses.
Arkansas is among the states that allow medical marijuana, meaning the changes could eventually impact patients and businesses locally as the process moves forward.