The public comment period for the DEA’s proposal to reschedule marijuana ends within hours, with 40,000 comments submitted.
The DEA’s proposal, published in the Federal Register on May 21, initiated a public comment period that concludes at 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 22. While the DEA has the option to extend the comment period, there has been no indication they will do so.
As the deadline approaches, it appears the comment period will close with 40,000 comments. Approximately 54% of these comments urge the DEA to go further by descheduling marijuana altogether, which would decriminalize the plant nationwide and effectively end its prohibition.
Conversely, less than 10% of the comments advocate for marijuana to remain a Schedule I drug, maintaining its illegal status for all purposes.
The DEA’s proposal to reclassify marijuana to Schedule III would mark the first change to its scheduling status since the Controlled Substances Act was enacted in 1970. Reclassifying marijuana would recognize its medical value and allow its compounds and medicines to be prescribed nationwide. It would also offer federal protections to state-legal medical marijuana businesses and patients, including allowing licensed marijuana businesses to take IRS tax deductions.
Once the comment period concludes, the DEA will analyze all comments, decide whether to hold a public hearing, and then issue a final ruling in the Federal Register, which will include the effective date for the rescheduling.
All comments to the DEA are publicly accessible and can be viewed by clicking here. You can submit your own comment by clicking here.
Polling released in May found that two-thirds of voters in the United States support the move to reclassify marijuana.
