U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) is speaking out about the possible dangers of reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

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

During a congressional hearing, Aderholt told DEA Administrator Anne Milgram that he had some issues with the change.

Congressman @Robert_Aderholt is spot on telling DEA Administrator Anne Milgram that he’s concerned marijuana rescheduling will worsen the youth mental health crisis 👇 pic.twitter.com/cBV6oX9kcI

— SAM (@learnaboutsam) May 7, 2024

“Well, my understanding is that this same study that NIH referenced, did numerous studies establishing a connection between marijuana use and elevated risk of psychotic conditions, including psychosis, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and substance use disorder,” Aderholt said. “I believe the United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis, and with the adverse effects that I just mentioned, such as psychosis, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorder, my concern is rescheduling marijuana would make the crisis worse.”

The change would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than other illegal drugs.

Milgram said she was unable to comment on the reclassification at that time, but Aderholt said he still wanted to go on record about his concerns.

“It’s just very disconcerting to hear this,” he said. “And I’m deeply concerned about the impact that it will have, especially on the population of young Americans who are more susceptible to drug use for the first time and as they’re forming lifetimes of addiction. So with that, let me say there’s many of us in Washington and in the Congress, and I’m sure not all, but there’s a lot of us who are very concerned about that. And we we hope that this is something that is not done.”

The DEA’s proposal still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget before it goes into effect.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee