Republican Lawmakers Urge DEA to Retain Cannabis as Schedule I Substance

LOS ANGELES- In a formal communication to Anne Milgram, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a group of 14 Republican lawmakers has voiced their concerns against a recommendation by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that seeks the reclassification of cannabis. The HHS has suggested moving cannabis from its current status as a Schedule I drug to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

The bipartisan letter firmly states, “It is irresponsible for HHS to recommend that marijuana be removed from Schedule I. It would also be irresponsible for DEA to act on this recommendation.” The signatories highlight the DEA’s role in the rigorous enforcement of the country’s drug regulations and appeal to the agency’s commitment to upholding this mission.

To strengthen their stance, the lawmakers refer to multiple studies and past decisions by the DEA. They cite research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) which suggests a marijuana use disorder among 30% of cannabis users. Furthermore, they emphasize the increasing THC content in modern cannabis compared to its state a quarter-century ago. Additionally, they reference a concerning study from the American Academy of Pediatrics that observed a staggering 1,375% rise in unintentional cannabis edible consumption by children under the age of six from 2017 to 2021.

One of the central arguments presented in the letter is the contention that cannabis lacks a widely accepted medical application. The lawmakers argue that while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its nod to drugs containing natural or synthetic cannabis elements, these are non-intoxicating. They firmly assert, “The FDA has never approved marijuana as a treatment for any disease or condition.”

Among the signatories of the letter are notable figures, including Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma, Michael Rounds of South Dakota, Mike Crapo and James Risch from Idaho, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ted Budd from North Carolina, and Tom Cotton of Arkansas. Joining them are Representatives Pete Sessions from Texas, Chuck Edwards of North Carolina, Robert Aderholt from Alabama, Hal Rogers of Kentucky, Earl “Buddy” Carter from Georgia, and Andy Biggs of Arizona.

The letter highlights the ongoing debate over the legal status of cannabis and its place within the national regulatory framework, reflecting the deep divisions on this issue, even as many states move towards greater acceptance and legalization.