Nebraska AG says proposed marijuana reclassification 'ignores' science and law

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska’s attorney general is trying to stamp out a federal change in marijuana regulations.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers submitted a public comment letter opposing the U.S. Justice Department’s proposal to classify cannabis as a schedule III drug instead of a schedule I drug.

Schedule III drugs are considered less dangerous and addictive, so they aren’t regulated as tightly.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska medical marijuana initiative rolls on after proposed reclassification

But Hilgers said it is a “myth” that marijuana is safe.

“The Biden Administration’s effort ignores the science, ignores our decades-old treaty obligations, and ignores the law,” he said in a press release.

The 40-page letter says the schedule change would be unlawful for several reasons, including that it was requested by Attorney General Merrick Garland instead of the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Attorneys general from 10 other states joined Hilgers in signing the letter: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina and South Dakota.

Monday was the end of the public comment period on the proposed regulation change.