The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has sent a letter to congressional lawmakers informing them that their review of marijuana as a schedule I drug is currently underway, while noting that the agency has “the final authority” when it comes to any rescheduling effort.
In August the Department sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officially requesting marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act, effectively legalizing it for prescription use across the United States. The letter came in response to a request by President Biden last year for the government to research and consider rescheduling marijuana.
Now, the DEA says they are reviewing the request, which is “ongoing”. In a letter sent to members of Congress, DEA Acting Chief of the Office of Congressional Affairs Michael Miller says that the DEA is “conducting its review” of marijuana’s scheduling status.
“DEA has the final authority to schedule, reschedule, or deschedule a drug under the Controlled Substances Act, after considering the relevant statutory and regulatory criteria and HHS’s scientific and medical evaluation. DEA is now conducting its review”, said Miller.
Last month the United States Health and Human Services Department released an over 250 page document explaining their rationale for wanting the DEA to reschedule marijuana.
Also in December, a coalition representing thousands of military veterans sent a letter to President Biden asking that his administration reschedule marijuana in a “timely” manner.
In September congressional researchers released a report stating that the DEA is “likely” to reschedule marijuana, with many believing it will be done prior to the 2024 presidential election.
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