A new federal filing shows the Drug Enforcement Administration is considering an application that would allow a Department of Veterans Affairs research program to import marijuana-derived substances for clinical studies.

According to a notice published today in the Federal Register, the VA Cooperative Studies Program has applied to become a registered importer of certain Schedule I substances, specifically marijuana extract and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC).

The application, submitted on April 9, would authorize the program to import finished dosage products  strictly for research and clinical trial use. Federal officials make clear in the notice that the registration would not allow any commercial activity tied to these substances, including sales of either approved or unapproved products.

If approved, the move would mark another step in expanding federally sanctioned marijuana research, particularly within the VA system, which has increasingly explored potential therapeutic uses of cannabis-derived compounds for veterans. The Cooperative Studies Program, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, plays a central role in coordinating large-scale clinical trials across the VA healthcare network.

The DEA is now accepting comments and potential objections from registered manufacturers and other stakeholders, with a window of roughly 30 days following publication. A hearing can also be requested during that same period.

While the substances listed remain classified as Schedule I under federal law, approvals like this continue to carve out pathways for controlled research, particularly as pressure mounts to better understand marijuana’s medical applications.