What can cannabis treat? NY researchers hope to learn more after US reclassification.
The US Department of Justice reclassified medical marijuana as a Schedule III drug, recognizing some medicinal benefit and lower potential for abuse. Researchers in New York say this move could open the door to more research into its therapeutic benefits and potential health harms.
The US Department of Justice announced that state-licensed medical marijuana will now be classified as a Schedule III drug, rather than Schedule I. This shift recognizes some medicinal benefit and a lower potential for abuse. Researchers conducting studies on Schedule III drugs will have less burdensome storage, security, and reporting requirements. Ellicott Matthay, an assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said the move could attract more cannabis researchers and open up new sources of cannabis products for study. New York state’s medical marijuana program has been around since 2014, and common conditions treated with marijuana include autism, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and chronic pain. Researchers say more rigorous studies are needed to determine the benefits and risks of cannabis products on the market.
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