President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would expand access to cannabis, a long anticipated move that would mark the most significant shift in US drug policy in decades.
The order is expected to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I narcotic to a Schedule III drug - placing it under the same category as Tylenol with codeine, US media reports suggest.
Even if recategorized, cannabis will remain illegal at the federal level. But classifying it as a Schedule III narcotic would allow expanded research to be conducted into its potential benefits.
Several Republican lawmakers have cautioned against the move, with some arguing it could normalize cannabis use.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency notes that Schedule III narcotics - which also include ketamine and anabolic steroids - have only a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
The executive order could come as early as Thursday, although the timing could shift, CBS reported.
The new classification could also have tax implications for state-authorized cannabis dispensaries, as current regulations bar them from some tax deductions if they sell Schedule I products.
Various US news outlets have reported that the announcement may also include a pilot program that would see some older Americans reimbursed for cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, for conditions including cancer treatments.
In recent years, a majority of US states have approved cannabis for some medical use, and nearly half - 24 - have legalized recreational use. But since 1971, cannabis has been a Schedule I narcotic, which means it has no accepted medical use and a high potential to be abused.
Earlier this week, Trump said that he was considering the re-classification because of tremendous amounts of research that can't be done unless you reclassify.
The Biden administration proposed a similar reclassification, but got bogged down under administrative and legal issues.
Trump has long expressed a desire to change US drug policy regarding cannabis.
He stated on Truth Social last year, I believe it is time to end endless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults to safe, tested products.
The reclassification proposal has met some resistance from Republican lawmakers. A group of 22 Republican Senators sent an open letter to the president, arguing that marijuana use would mean that we cannot re-industrialise America.
In light of the documented dangers of marijuana, they emphasized concerns over the health impact, and research suggesting links to impaired judgment and lack of concentration.
Polls show that a majority of Americans support efforts to legalize marijuana, with a Gallup poll indicating that 64% believe it should be legalized, despite a slight drop in support among Republicans.
