The US government is planning on categorizing marijuana as a low-risk drug, broadcaster NBC News and the Washington Post newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the development.
In the US, access to controlled substances is regulated by a law that groups drugs into five different categories.
So far, marijuana has fallen into the highest category of illegal drugs, Schedule I, which also includes heroin, ecstasy and LSD. That's in a category above cocaine.
According to the reports, marijuana is to be downgraded to a Schedule III drug in future and would therefore be on a par with steroids or paracetamol.
Although marijuana is already either legal or may be taken for medical purposes in the majority of US states, federal law is still lagging behind. In some states, prohibition of the drug is relatively strict.
The government's move would not change this situation for the time being. Penalties would still apply in the relevant states.
However, it would have far-reaching consequences for research, taxation and would contribute to the further decriminalization of marijuana. Trade without a licence would still be prohibited.