VIRGINIA, USA — A historic change in the nation's drug policy could be on the way.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is expected to recommend marijuana be considered a less dangerous drug. The proposal would send ripple effects across the country, but what about in the Commonwealth?
The DEA's new proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the country's most dangerous drugs.
Though it wouldn't legalize recreational use outright, it's a big potential shift in the nation's stance on marijuana.
"So, I think there's a lot of interesting implications for this," said Dr. Leslie Caughell, associate professor of politics at Virginia Wesleyan University.
Caughell said the biggest implications are for states that have not legalized marijuana to some extent already, unlike Virginia. But she said it would likely send a message to courtrooms nationwide.
"If we are classifying marijuana like we are classifying drugs that are expenses by your pharmacists, you really can imagine it's harder for prosecutors to make a case for really tough and rigid sentences," said Caughell.
She said Virginians could see a loosening of restrictions on marijuana research.
Dr. Eric Claville, a political expert who teaches at Norfolk State, says a change could make the idea of marijuana sales more palatable for the Commonwealth in the future.
"However, given the current political environment here in the Commonwealth, I don't see that as an option anytime soon," said Claville.
Despite efforts by state lawmakers, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he is not interested in moving forward with marijuana sales.
"As a Commonwealth, if you're looking for this new law to change, you're going to have to wait until the next gubernatorial administration, and also see what the general assembly has to say, as well," he said.
The White House Office of Management and Budget still has to look over the proposal, which would be followed by a public comment period and a review by an administrative judge, before a final rule can be posted.