Federal Policy

House Republicans voted this week to block the Biden Administration’s effort to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

Federal lawmakers recently introduced the Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Act, a bipartisan House proposal seeking to create an expungement mechanism for low-level, non-felony violations of federal cannabis laws.

Cannabis policy reforms in the U.S. have led to about 2.5 million pardons or expungements for cannabis-related convictions, according to a recent NORML tally.

Here’s What To Plan for in Your Pre-Roll Business Once Schedule III Takes Effect

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) could finally let veterans participate in state-legal medical cannabis programs under a House-approved amendment to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilConVA) Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill.

In a review of the hallucinogen MDMA posted last week, the FDA highlighted concerns about the initial investigations into the drug as a potential new therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

While federal lawmakers consider banning most hemp-derived cannabinoid products, the hemp industry is facing another potential threat after a DEA official said the federal 0.3% delta-9 THC cap also applies to delta-9 THCA, which is a similar compound.

An amendment to the House version of the Farm Bill would effectively ban the sale of hemp-derived delta-8 THC products and other hemp-derived intoxicating products. The amendment, however, is far from guaranteed to pass the divided House and Senate to become law.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Justice on Tuesday published the rule proposal for moving cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The publication kicks off a 61-day public comment period, a CSA requirement.

A provision in the draft text of the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would block the military from requiring potential recruits to pass a drug test for cannabis.

Joe Biden has announced that the US Justice Department is moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. In his announcement, he stated that he is committed to “righting the wrongs” of prohibition, though Schedule III status doesn’t do anything specific to help those currently incarcerated.

Senate Democrats have again filed the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, which seeks to legalize cannabis at the federal level and automatically expunge federal non-violent cannabis offenses.

Recent polling from the Independent Community Bankers of America found that 64% of Americans believe giving state-legal cannabis companies access to traditional banking services would benefit public safety.

The American Bankers Association said that even once cannabis is rescheduled to Schedule III under federal law, Congress will still need to pass the SAFER Banking Act to let state-legal cannabis companies access traditional financial services.

Cannabis company stocks soared on Tuesday following reports that the DEA would move to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law.

The DEA has reportedly agreed to reschedule cannabis under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, in accordance with the FDA’s recent recommendation. While this development could loosen financial restrictions for brands operating in state markets, advocates have pointed out that it does not resolve the ongoing social injustices surrounding cannabis criminalization, and that it could benefit larger corporate entities that are angling to dominate the market.

Eight months after the federal Department of Health and Human Services recommended moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, a coalition of Congressional lawmakers this week urged the DEA to make its decision as quickly as possible.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said during testimony before a House committee this week that there’s “no reason” for the DEA to “delay” its cannabis rescheduling decision.

In a recent letter, 22 attorneys general called on members of Congress to tighten federal rules on hemp-derived cannabinoid products, arguing that the 2018 federal Farm Bill “unleashed… a flood of products that are nothing less than a more potent form of cannabis.”

Vice President Kamala Harris said last week that the Schedule I status of cannabis under federal drug laws is “absurd” and “patently unfair,” and urged the DEA to reschedule the plant under the Controlled Substances Act.

Leading veterans groups and U.S. law enforcement officials have urged the Biden Administration to reschedule cannabis, highlighting its potential benefits for veterans and the need for reform to enhance treatments and reduce unnecessary legal consequences.

Twelve Senate Democrats have urged the Biden Administration to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, countering a recent HHS recommendation for Schedule III that is currently being reviewed by the DEA.