Cannabis advocates from the Drug Policy Alliance and other organizations and businesses organized a press briefing this week to explain why the time is now for marijuana to be rescheduled at the federal level. With increasing acceptance of marijuana for medical and recreational use across the country, there is a growing consensus that the current scheduling of the plant is outdated and hindering further research and development.
On January 3, 2024, Punchbowl News was the first to report that the DEA had confirmed it was conducting its own review of marijuana as a potential candidate for rescheduling. This news has sparked hope among advocates who have long been pushing for a change in the federal classification of cannabis.
Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana says policy makers need to learn from their mistakes with hemp when considering marijuana. He points out that hemp was previously classified as a Schedule I substance, only to be later descheduled due to its non-intoxicating properties. Sabet argues that marijuana should be given the same reconsideration based on its potential medicinal benefits.
Jean E. Smith-Gonnell and Cole White of Troutman Pepper discuss federal legislation pertaining to cannabis reform in areas including rescheduling, taxation, and banking. They emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the legal and financial challenges facing the cannabis industry.
Some of the nation's largest veterans groups are pushing the Biden administration to reschedule marijuana and ease federal restrictions on access for veterans. They argue that medical cannabis can provide relief for conditions such as PTSD and chronic pain, and that current barriers to access are preventing many veterans from receiving the care they need.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is highlighting its scientific review into marijuana that led the agency to recommend rescheduling—a move that could open up new opportunities for research and development in the cannabis industry. The FDA's endorsement of rescheduling is seen as a significant step towards broader acceptance of marijuana as a legitimate medicine.
Oregon Democratic congressman Earl Blumenauer continues to push the DEA to reschedule marijuana and lay out a timeline for such action. Blumenauer has been a vocal advocate for cannabis reform and believes that rescheduling is a crucial first step towards broader legal and regulation of marijuana at the federal level.
A group of Democratic senators called on the Biden administration Tuesday to completely deschedule marijuana, arguing the White House's current approach is hindering progress in the cannabis industry. They urge the administration to take bold action to remove all federal restrictions on marijuana and allow states to regulate the plant as they see fit.
For over half a year, the cannabis industry has been waiting on pins and needles, since news broke in August that the U.S. Department of Justice was considering rescheduling marijuana. The uncertainty surrounding the potential rescheduling has created a sense of anticipation and anxiety among industry stakeholders who are eager for a resolution.
