DEA Delays Marijuana Rescheduling Decision Until After The Election

The Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled a hearing on the Biden administration’s proposal to reclassify marijuana under federal drug laws, effectively delaying the decision until after the November election. The agency scheduled a hearing on the proposed rule change for December 2, according to a report from cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment.

The proposed rule is the result of a review of U.S. cannabis policy that was ordered by President Joseph Biden in October 2022. In January 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined after a review of available evidence that marijuana was eligible for a less strict classification under federal drug laws. In the review, researchers with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that credible evidence shows that marijuana has legitimate medical uses and fits the criteria for rescheduling under the CSA. In April 2024, the DEA indicated it would approve the effort to reschedule marijuana, later issuing a proposed rule to facilitate the change under federal law.