US eases marijuana rules, expands access for medical use

The United States government has updated its rules on marijuana to make it easier for doctors to use it for treating certain medical conditions.

The change also allows scientists to carry out more studies on how safe and effective the drug is.

Officials have now placed marijuana in a lower risk category, meaning it is considered less dangerous than before and may have some medical benefits.

Previously, marijuana was treated as a highly restricted drug, but under the new classification, it is now easier for patients to access it with a doctor’s approval.

Marijuana was previously classified as a “Schedule I” drug, which means it was considered to have no accepted medical use and a high risk of abuse, similar to heroin and methamphetamine.

Now, it has been moved to “Schedule III,” a lower-risk category. This means it is seen as having a lower risk of addiction and may have medical benefits.

The US Department of Justice said the change follows a December executive order by President Donald Trump, which encouraged more research into medical marijuana.

Officials say the decision will help doctors treat patients better and allow scientists to study the drug more effectively.