Bridging The Gap: Cannabis Rescheduling To Align Policy With Research

In a much-anticipated move, sources recently reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA") will recommend rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act.¹ This recommendation will likely be based on the Health and Human Services Report, which evaluated scientific evidence of cannabis use for medical purposes and determined that cannabis does have accepted medical value with a higher safety profile than Schedule II medications.² The DEA's recommendation is also in line with President Biden's directive for the Federal government to take steps to review how cannabis is presently scheduled under federal law.³ In response to the DEA recommendation, the White House Office of Management and Budget will review the recommendation. If approved, there will be a public hearing allowing experts and the public to weigh in on rescheduling. Absent any major meritorious objections, cannabis will