U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand applauded the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) move to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance.

 “I’m grateful that the DEA is heeding my call to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III substance,” said Sen. Gillibrand. “As most Americans realize, marijuana is simply not comparable to other Schedule I substances like heroin and LSD. And while I continue to believe that marijuana should be descheduled entirely, this is an important first step to remedying decades of unjust federal marijuana policy. I applaud this move and will continue working in Congress to legalize marijuana and expunge the records of Americans with prior marijuana possession convictions.”

According to the DEA website, Schedule I drugs include "drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse."

Among the drugs currently listed as Schedule I drugs are heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.

In contrast, the DEA say Schedule III "drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."

Drugs classified by the DEA as Schedule III include products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone.

Gillibrand has previously called on the DEA to reclassify marijuana.

She has also cosponsored the Marijuana Justice Act, landmark legislation that would legalize marijuana and help reverse decades of failed drug policy that has disproportionately hurt communities of color and low-income communities, and the SAFE Banking Act, which would ensure that legal cannabis businesses have access to critical banking and financial services.