How marijuana reclassification affects research

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Department of Justice announced this month it is classifying FDA-approved marijuana products as a Schedule 3 drug.

The department says the change is intended to strengthen medical research while maintaining federal controls.

According to the DEA, Schedule 3 drugs have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Examples of schedule 3 drugs include Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone.

Previously, marijuana was labeled as a Schedule 1 drug. The DEA classifies a Schedule 1 drug as a substance without a currently accepted medical use and has a high potential for abuse. Drugs in the schedule 1 category include heroin, LSD, ecstasy and peyote.

In the video above, Dr. Ginger Nichol sheds light on how the reclassification impacts marijuana research.