DEA Proposal to Reclassify Cannabis Generates Strong Public Response

LOS ANGELES- Following the submission of a proposal by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on May 21, a 60-day public comment period was initiated, set to conclude on July 22. In the first 15 days, the proposal has elicited 11,100 comments, averaging nearly 800 submissions per day.

Approximately 60% of these comments support the complete descheduling of cannabis. Conversely, less than 5% advocate for maintaining cannabis as a Schedule I substance, which would keep it illegal for all purposes under federal law.

The DEA’s proposal aims to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance. This change would permit the legal prescription of medications containing cannabis and its compounds nationwide, contingent upon FDA approval. It would also extend federal protections to state-legal medical cannabis patients and businesses, protections that are currently unavailable.

A DEA official recently indicated that a finalized ruling is expected to be issued by the end of September, possibly as early as the end of August. This reclassification represents a significant shift in federal cannabis policy, potentially impacting the regulatory landscape for medical cannabis across the United States.