Leafy green legislation could see a budding future as the U.S. government contemplates reclassifying marijuana to a less restricted category. The monumental shift has the potential to ignite more state lawmakers to consider legalizing both medical and recreational use of the substance. "It is a historic and meaningful change at the federal level that I think is going to give many state lawmakers a little less hesitation to support a bill," said Matthew Schweich, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, according to a WABE interview .

Despite the federal reclassification not outright legalizing marijuana, it undeniably adds clout to cannabis advocacy, waved by skeptics in states yet to pass pro-pot laws. Legislators were once handcuffed by marijuana's Schedule I classification, which includes serious drugs like heroin and LSD. With the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration proposing to bump weed down to Schedule III—sharing a tier with less menacing substances such as ketamine and some anabolic steroids—the argument for legalization gains ground.

Pot proponents' spirits are high with upcoming voting in states such as Florida and South Dakota, where cannabis could see a turn in its legal status. Advocates believe the DEA's reclassification proposal will fuel those efforts. In Florida, a constitutional amendment for legal recreational cannabis awaits its verdict this November. Meanwhile, South Dakota is gearing up for its third attempt at giving the green light to recreational pot. They plan to submit signatures for their proposal on Tuesday, and, according to a WABE report , supporters are optimistic.

However, some remain grounded, like Jackee Winters, chairperson of an Idaho group advocating medical marijuana, who noted the difficulty in gathering support—fear still looms large over would-be proponents. "People are literally afraid to sign anything in Idaho that has to do with marijuana." Winters told WABE . Despite this concern, there's a belief that reclassification might serve as a societal and legal salve, relieving some of the discomfort around cannabis discourse.

Resistance in states like Tennessee and Kansas, however, persists. Elected officials, influenced by law enforcement concerns, view cannabis through the lens of potential organized crime and public safety hazards. While the DEA's suggested reclassification could shake things up, organizations like the Kansas Bureau of Investigation stay firm, dismissing the move as "misguided and politicized." Melissa Underwood, a KBI spokesperson, relayed director Tony Mattivi's stance on the matter.

As the tide turns on how America treats marijuana, it's not just advocates who are watching closely. Leaders in the pharmaceutical realm, such as Daw Randolph, executive director of the Georgia Pharmacy Association, predict that a Schedule III placement could normalize marijuana's place in the U.S. prescription landscape. "Reclassification of marijuana could open the way for pharmacists to treat marijuana products “like every other prescription medication," Randolph said, according to an interview by WABE .

With heated debates and the fire of change stoked by these potential federal reclassifications, pro-pot campaigns across the country await a future where marijuana may reap the benefits of a reimagined legal status. A proverbial joint decision at the federal level may just roll out the red carpet for states to get on board with a greener policy. But the smoke hasn't cleared yet, and as November's votes on the issue draw closer, all eyes will be on which way the wind blows.