US to keep marijuana on list of dangerous drugs

The US government has decided to keep marijuana on the list of the most dangerous drugs, despite growing support for legalisation. However, officials will allow more research into its possible medical benefits, says the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The administration said the agency opted not to reclassify marijuana after a lengthy review and consultation with the Health and Human Services Department, which said marijuana “has a high potential for abuse” and “no accepted medical use”.

“We are tethered to science and bound by statute,” said administration spokesman Rusty Payne.

The decision to keep marijuana in the same class of drugs as heroin and peyote comes amid growing national support for the legalisation of marijuana.

More than half the states have legalised the drug for either medicinal or recreational use.

Only researchers at the University of Mississippi are allowed to grow marijuana.