Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) has spoken out about the potential dangers of reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

Currently, marijuana is considered a “Schedule 1” drug, alongside other dangerous narcotics such as heroin. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wants to reclassify marijuana as Schedule III, which would not make it federally legal, but would classify it as less dangerous.

At a congressional hearing, Aderholt told DEA Administrator Anne Milgram that the changes were problematic.

Congressman Robert Aderholt He was right to tell DEA Administrator Anne Milgram that he was concerned that changes to marijuana regulations would worsen the mental health crisis among young people. pic.twitter.com/cBV6oX9kcI

— SAM (@learnaboutsam) May 7, 2024

“My understanding is that this same study referenced by NIH has conducted numerous studies establishing an association between marijuana use and an increased risk of mental illness, including psychosis, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders,” Aderholt said. “I believe the United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis, and given the negative impacts of psychosis, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders that I just mentioned, I am concerned that changes to marijuana regulations would make the crisis even worse.”

The amendment would recognise cannabis as having medical uses and a lower potential for abuse than other illegal drugs.

Milgram said at the time he couldn't comment on the reclassification, but Aderholt said he wanted to air his concerns publicly.

“It's very disturbing to hear about,” he said, “and I'm deeply concerned about the impact this will have, particularly on a population of younger Americans who are more likely to use drugs for the first time and are becoming addicted for life. So there are a lot of people in Washington and in Congress, not all of them, who are very concerned about this. And we hope that this doesn't happen.”

The DEA proposal must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget before it can go into effect.

Yaffe is a contributing writer for Yellow Hammer News and hosts “The Yaffe Program” weekdays from 9-11 a.m. WhistlerYou can follow us on Twitter @Yaffe