DEA’s Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing Set To Begin In January 2025 As Controversy Mounts
The long-awaited hearing to discuss cannabis rescheduling will begin on January 21, 2025, marking a significant moment in the ongoing debate over cannabis regulation. As Business of Cannabis reported, the six-week hearing will continue until March 6, 2025, but its outcome remains uncertain due to political and procedural challenges.
With key positions in the new administration still unconfirmed, many questions remain about how much influence the incoming cabinet will have on the hearings. This uncertainty has raised concerns over the DEA’s impartiality and the fairness of the process.
Legal Challenges From Health Coalitions And Advocates
In a move that has added to the controversy, the Doctors for Drug Policy Reform has filed a federal court petition challenging the DEA’s exclusion from the hearings. According to Businnes of Cannabis, the group argues that their medical expertise is essential for evaluating the implications of cannabis rescheduling, particularly regarding medical marijuana prescriptions.
Additionally, weeks ago, the agency denied MedPharm’s bid to join the December 2 hearing. MedPharm, a DEA-registered research firm, criticized the exclusion of marijuana researchers and the inclusion of prohibitionist organizations such as Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM).
SAM has been also at the center of the controversy. On November 28, attorney …