Drugs aren't classified schedule 1 based on the idea that these drugs are more dangerous than schedule 2. Both schedule 1 and schedule 2 are considered to be drugs with high abuse potential. What delineates the two is the notion that schedule 1 have no accepted medical use, while schedule 2 are accepted to have a medical use. Schedule 3, 4 and 5 are also considered to have medical use. If it is concluded that marijuana should be reclassified as having a medical use, then it could be put in category 3,4 or 5. I doubt it would be reclassified as schedule 2.
An absurd classification system that exempts alcohol and tobacco for no particular reason. I think the classification system should be consistent in a way that includes alcohol and tobacco under the same regime.
I think that it may be kept as it is to allow the ATF to continue enforcing the law for alcohol and tobacco. The DEA is responsible for enforcing the law for the substances in the Controlled Substances Act. If alcohol and tobacco were added, that would greatly widen the scope of the DEA. To add to this, the drugs classified under schedule 2-5 are produced by pharmaceutical companies, while producers of consumer alcohol and tobacco are not.
I think this would still lead to the DEA being responsible for the enforcement of alcohol and tobacco, which I don't think is a desired outcome by the public.
