DEA Sets Stage For Marijuana Rescheduling With December 2 Hearing
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will hold its first hearing on December 2 to address the Biden administration’s proposal to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The hearing, announced through a public advisory on November 26, is procedural and will not include witness testimony. Instead, it will focus on logistical matters and future scheduling for merit-based discussions.
This pivotal rescheduling initiative could significantly impact cannabis research and industry operations, though it stops short of federal legalization. Moving marijuana to Schedule III would allow licensed cannabis businesses to claim federal tax deductions under Section 280E of the IRS tax code, a long-sought reform. It would also remove some barriers to scientific research, though marijuana would remain subject to CSA regulations and applicable criminal prohibitions.
A Divisive Proposal
The proposal has sparked debate across political and regulatory landscapes. While the DEA is officially listed as the “proponent” of the rule, questions persist regarding the agency’s commitment to the initiative. Notably, it was Attorney General Merrick Garland, not DEA …