<div class="" data-article-body="true">By Nancy LapidDec 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order demanding a speedy reclassification of marijuana that would ease federal restrictions on research that could lead to new medical marijuana products.Here is what you need to know:WHAT DOES THE EXECUTIVE ORDER DO?Under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, marijuana has been listed as a Schedule I substance ​like heroin, implying it has high potential for abuse and no medical value. The new executive order moves it to the Schedule III classification that includes controlled substances such as codeine, ‌ketamine, certain stimulants, and some forms of steroids.The reclassification will make it easier for researchers to obtain funding for clinical trials and for pharmaceutical companies to apply for FDA approval. As a result of its Schedule I status, bureaucratic and financial hurdles have largely ‌kept drug companies from conducting the clinical trials necessary for regulatory approval of new marijuana-derived drugs.The executive order also seeks to improve access to therapeutic products made from hemp, which like marijuana is derived from flowering plants in the Cannabis family. Hemp is not a controlled substance but currently lacks a clear pathway to regulatory approval, limiting product consistency and consumer protections, the White House said.DOES THIS MEAN MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL BECOME LEGAL?Marijuana in any form has been illegal in the United States according to federal law. Forty U.S. states have enacted laws permitting the sale of marijuana products for medical purposes through dispensaries and 24 also allow recreational use among adults. These state-approved products will ⁠remain federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act unless manufacturers apply for ‌and obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Manufacture, distribution, and possession of marijuana without legal authorization would continue to be unlawful, but penalties would likely be less severe than those tied to its current Schedule I status.WHAT ARE THE MEDICINAL PARTS OF MARIJUANA?Marijuana, derived from flowering plants of the genus Cannabis, contains chemical compounds known ‍as cannabinoids that interact with chemical systems in the body. Two of the best-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes a euphoric high, and cannabidiol (CBD), which produces physiological effects, such as pain or inflammation relief, without the high.In 2018, the U.S. Congress ruled that cannabis plants containing no more than 0.3% THC – such as hemp – would no longer be considered marijuana.The 10 states that haven't legalized cannabis have laws that limit the psychoactive compound THC while allowing access to hemp products ​rich in CBD, which is non-intoxicating.WHAT EVIDENCE SUPPORTS MARIJUANA-DERIVED PHARMACEUTICALS?Only three cannabinoid drugs have shown evidence from clinical trials necessary for FDA approval. Epidiolex from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, containing purified CBD derived from hemp, is approved ‌for certain seizure disorders. Dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC sold as Marinol by Alkem Laboratories and Syndros by Benuvia, is approved for loss of appetite in people with HIV/AIDS and for nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy.All are considered generally safe, and like most drugs carry some potential side effects.Even after reclassification, any drugs that are eventually approved by the FDA would be legally available in commercial pharmacies by prescription. Healthcare providers who wish to prescribe Schedule III medications - including any marijuana-derived drugs - must have a valid Drug Enforcement Administration registration.WHAT CONDITIONS ARE PROMISING FOR MARIJUANA-DERIVED PHARMACEUTICALS?Dronabinol has also demonstrated benefit for sleep apnea in mid-stage trials.An experimental cannabis-derived medication from Vertanical was safer and more effective than placebo and opioids for treating chronic lower back pain in two late-stage trials in Europe. A U.S. trial is planned for 2026.An oral spray formulation, Sativex ⁠from CNX Therapeutics, has shown efficacy in late-stage trials for managing muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis and is ​approved in over 30 countries outside the United States.Cannabinoid drugs are also being tested for treatment of autism spectrum disorder, anxiety and ​depression in bipolar disorder, endometriosis, eczema and alcohol use disorder.Federal rescheduling of cannabis will likely accelerate research and standardized drug development for these and other conditions.IS MARIJUANA SOLD AT DISPENSARIES SAFE?Even when used for medical reasons, cannabinoid products like gummies, vape oils, tinctures and high-potency concentrates can cause dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms and can impact cognitive status, mental ‍health, the cardiovascular system, and the lungs, studies have ⁠shown. Recent data has also linked marijuana use with a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.Marijuana interacts with many prescription and over-the-counter medications, including blood thinners, sleep medications, anxiety medications, anti-depressants, and seizure medications. Risks are therefore higher in people with heart disease, anxiety, depression, or psychosis, and in older adults due to their higher risk of falls and drug interactions.Risks of marijuana use are ⁠also higher during pregnancy and breastfeeding and in children and adolescents.But states that allow medical marijuana do so for a wide list of ailments and many people swear by it despite limited available clinical research. Approved uses include for cancer, glaucoma, chronic pain, ‌ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, sickle cell disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and many other conditions. A few states have no medical conditions listed, giving doctors broad discretion.(Reporting by Nancy ‌Lapid; additional reporting by Sriparna Roy and Ahmed Aboulenein; editing by Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot and Nick Zieminski)</div>

Explainer-What will change with the US reclassification of marijuana?

NASA released new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS — just the third cosmic visitor from elsewhere in the galaxy ever confirmed — on Wednesday.

NASA releases new photos of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS

Rebecca Gayheart married Eric Dane in 2004.

Rebecca Gayheart on her 'very complicated' relationship with Eric Dane: 'I am always going to want the best for him'

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Herforfd in the west of the country has removed Alexander Eichwald from its faction in the local council following a firebrand speech he held at the weekend, a party representative told dpa. Bielefeld AfD MP Maximilian Kneller told dpa on Monday that Eichwald has been removed.

AfD faction in western Germany ousts councilman for firebrand speech

Season 5 of "Stranger Things" returns three years after its fourth season debuted on the streamer.

'Stranger Things' Season 5: When does Volume 2 come out? And Volume 3? Everything to know about the remaining episodes before the finale.

As the holiday season approaches, here are some Thanksgiving tips on how to safely thaw, prepare, and cook the turkey this year.

Your guide to how to safely thaw and cook your Thanksgiving turkey this year, according to experts

People are increasingly using AI chatbots for emotional and psychological support. Now, companies are using it to support employees – raising a host of issues.

AI is providing emotional support for employees – but is it a valuable tool or privacy threat?

A Los Angeles jury awarded $40 million on Friday to two women who claimed that talcum powder made by Johnson & Johnson caused their ovarian cancer.  The verdict is the latest development in a longstanding legal battle over claims that talc in Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body power was connected to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that strikes the lungs and other organs.  Johnson & Johnson stopped selling powder made with talc worldwide in 2023.

Jury says Johnson & Johnson owes $40 million to 2 cancer patients who used talcum powders

Juice is a reviving and nutritious drink delighted in by individuals, all things considered. With a wide assortment of flavors and


Vote in favor of your #1 sort of juice


Have you at any point experienced somebody with numerous ledgers? Or on the other hand maybe you are one of those people with more than


Amplifying Cash The executives: The Upsides and downsides of Various Ledgers


TED Talks have turned into a strong stage for sharing thoughts, encounters, and bits of knowledge that motivate self-improvement and change. From


The 15 Most Rousing TED Chats on Self-awareness


Looking for garments economically is a fundamental stage toward lessening our natural effect and advancing moral practices in the design business. By picking manageable choices, we can uphold


Vote In favor of Feasible Way You Prescribe to Shop for Garments


Cycling is a famous and flexible movement that offers various advantages, from working on actual wellness to diminishing ecological effect. Whether


Pedal Power: Divulging Well known Bike Brands for Each Cyclist


Picking the right sort of apparel is fundamental for communicating individual style, guaranteeing solace, and fitting different events. From relaxed


Vote In favor of Your Favored Sort Of Dress


In an age where you can compare your Christmas photos to those of millions of others, the efforts parents undertake to make a memorable – and Instagrammable – holiday season are more intense than ever. And in many families, the majority of those efforts fall on the shoulders of overburdened moms.