DEA Picks Participants For Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing This Month, And Only Opponents Are Invited

Key Points:

• The DEA has invited only opponents of cannabis rescheduling to participate in an upcoming hearing on the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling process, excluding all reform supporters who expressed interest.
• The invited parties include organizations and states opposing marijuana reform, while supporters like the Drug Policy Alliance were denied participation for not being "adversely affected" by the proposed rule.
• Critics argue the exclusion of reform advocates undermines meaningful public input, with groups like the American Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp expressing disappointment and prohibitionist groups welcoming the opportunity to oppose rescheduling.
• The hearing, overseen by a DEA administrative law judge, will run from June 29 to July 15 and focus on whether marijuana should be moved to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
• Meanwhile, the recent rescheduling of state-licensed medical cannabis to Schedule III is already impacting federal policies, including gun purchase forms, tax guidance, and federal protections for medical marijuana users, despite ongoing legal challenges and congressional resistance.