DEA Judge Cancels Cannabis Rescheduling Hearings

LOS ANGELES- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has canceled its upcoming hearings on the proposed rescheduling of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act. Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney issued the cancellation following legal challenges from pro-reform witnesses, effectively delaying any potential policy changes for at least three months.

The hearings, initially set to commence on January 21, 2025, were intended to evaluate the Biden administration’s proposal to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance. This reclassification would acknowledge accepted medical uses and reduce federal restrictions. However, concerns regarding procedural fairness and alleged conflicts of interest have prompted the postponement.

Advocates for rescheduling, including cannabis company Village Farms International and the veterans group Hemp for Victory, filed motions citing evidence that the DEA may have given preferential treatment to organizations opposing rescheduling. They argue that such actions compromise the integrity of the hearing process.

The delay introduces uncertainty into the timeline for any federal policy changes regarding cannabis. The DEA has not announced a new schedule for the hearings, leaving stakeholders in the cannabis industry awaiting further developments.

This postponement occurs amid broader discussions about cannabis policy in the United States. In August 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended that cannabis be moved to Schedule III, a significant shift from its current classification. The DEA’s decision on this recommendation remains pending.

The rescheduling of cannabis carries substantial implications for the industry, including potential changes in regulatory compliance and financial operations. Stakeholders are advised to monitor the situation closely as it evolves.