It appears that all of the recent hopes surrounding a possible re-scheduling or de-scheduling of cannabis by the DEA have been shot down. NPR has reported that the DEA will be recommending that no change be made to the status of cannabis via the Controlled Substances Act.
Earlier on Wednesday, the hype started to build regarding a possible statement. According to The Denver Post, DEA spokesperson Russell Baer suggested that an announcement would be happening on Thursday, but did not say what it would be. Multiple other reports indicated that an announcement was coming as well. However, NPR reported that DEA chief Chuck Rosenberg said on Wednesday that the DEA has decided not to reschedule cannabis or remove it from the list of controlled substances and that this decision “isn’t based on danger,” but rather “whether marijuana, as determined by the FDA, is a safe and effective medicine.” It seems that the FDA has taken the position — contrary numerous scientific studies and the testimony of countless patients — that it is not.
Meanwhile, legal recreational cannabis markets are operating in four states, 25 states have legalized cannabis for medical use, there continues to be no example of anyone ever overdosing or dying directly from cannabis use, and alcohol continues to kill over 80,000 people per year in the US alone. After all the rumors that circled earlier this summer we were hoping for positive news, but then again, we are not surprised.