A group representing state-level cannabis regulators is calling on the Biden administration and the nation’s top drug enforcement official to provide a clear explanation of how rescheduling marijuana would affect federal enforcement priorities and the U.S. government’s interaction with jurisdictions that regulate cannabis products. In comments to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram about […]| Marijuana Moment
The governor of Kentucky has added his voice to the chorus of people urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to follow through on the Biden administration’s plan to reschedule marijuana. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) on Wednesday submitted a public comment on the proposed rule, which would move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of […]| Marijuana Moment
The Justice Department says it is interested in receiving public comments on the “unique economic impacts” of its marijuana rescheduling proposal given that state-level legalization has created a “multibillion dollar industry” that stands to benefit from possible federal tax relief under the reform. In its notice of proposed rulemaking that’s set to be published in […]| Marijuana Moment
The Justice Department announced on Thursday that Attorney General Merrick Garland has formally initiated the process to reschedule marijuana—releasing DOJ’s proposed rule and a separate legal opinion that informed the decision but which also seemed to signal skepticism from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Shortly after President Joe Biden announced that the administration is moving […]| Marijuana Moment
Two GOP senators, including the lead Republican sponsor of a marijuana banking bill, have officially filed new legislation to prevent federal agencies from rescheduling cannabis without tacit approval from Congress. Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Steve Daines (R-MT) are sponsoring the Deferring Executive Authority (DEA) Act, which they briefly previewed this week in statements about […]| Marijuana Moment
A GOP senator is condemning the Biden administration over what he describes as repeated refusals from federal agencies to brief Congress on its plans and justification for rescheduling marijuana, which he argues fuels speculation that the proposed policy change is politically motivated. In a letter sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Department of […]| Marijuana Moment
Republicans in Congress sent a public comment letter this week opposing the Biden administration’s planned rescheduling of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), alleging the government’s recommendation was based on politics rather than science. Led by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), the letter opposing the move of cannabis to Schedule […]| Marijuana Moment
As the Republican National Committee (RNC) convention comes to a close, a number of Republican congressional lawmakers are sharing predictions about the prospects of marijuana policy reform—including rescheduling—if President Donald Trump wins another term in White House in November. Perspectives were mixed in a series of interviews with Marijuana Moment this week, as delegates formally […]| Marijuana Moment
A GOP congressman says “I don’t care” whether rolling back the Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling move under a potential Trump presidency would hurt the Republican party, because he feels more strongly that the modest reform would endanger public health. At the Republican National Committee conference last week, longtime prohibitionist Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) was asked […]| Marijuana Moment
Bipartisan congressional lawmakers are seeking to remove a controversial section of a spending bill that would block the Justice Department from rescheduling marijuana—one of several cannabis- and psychedelics-related amendments to appropriations legislation that have been filed in recent days. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) announced on Wednesday that she introduced the amendment to strike the rescheduling […]| Marijuana Moment