FDA Commissioner To House Committee: ‘There’s No Reason For DEA To Delay’ Cannabis Rescheduling
In a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing Thursday, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Robert Califf faced a barrage of questions spanning various critical issues, from lead contamination in baby food to the regulation of hemp and cannabis-derived products.
However, one topic dominated the discussions: the rescheduling of cannabis.
Cut To Cannabis
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) asked Califf for an update on the Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation to the DEA that cannabis be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III. He responded that while the decision rests with the DEA, the FDA supports the process without specifying a timeline.
“I don’t even know, but if I did, I couldn’t tell you anyway. So, the timing of a regulatory decision is something that would be up to the DEA, not up to me,” Califf said.
Mace asked if the decision might come “this year.”
“There’s no reason for DEA to delay. I …