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The DEA recently revealed that a hearing on cannabis rescheduling is being delayed until next year. This news comes after the agency’s administrator Anne Millgram gave the stamp of approval for more than 24 witnesses to take part in the hearing this coming week.
Soon after this, Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney gave a preliminary order indicating that the data provided on those supposed to testify was inadequate and requested additional details. He also hinted at a formal hearing being scheduled for January or February of next year.
When the department of justice proposed that marijuana be moved to Schedule III earlier this year following a scientific review, stakeholders and advocates had hoped the process would be complete by the year’s end.
This seemed to be the case, with the DEA scheduling the hearing for December 2nd,after the November elections but before inauguration. The hearing was set following a public comment period, which saw thousands upon thousands of individuals weigh in on the issue. It would focus on collecting additional input from experts.
Now, the order given by Mulrooney states that the list of participants for the hearing offered no indication whether they opposed or supported the proposed change.
The order calls attention to the fact that the list didn’t contain notices of appearance, phone numbers or addresses, only list of organizations and persons together with their email addresses. In his order, Mulrooney notes that selected participants are required to provide these details by November 12th.
The list of witnesses chosen by the DEA include Smart Approaches to Marijuana, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, National Cannabis Industry Association, Veterans Initiative 22, Cannabis Industry Victims Educating Litigators, Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents, National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association, Cannabis Bioscience International Holdings, Counsel for the Government, National Transportation Safety Board, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and the Commonwealth Project, among others.
The judge added that while an initial hearing would still occur on Dec. 2nd, no evidence or testimony would be taken.
NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano commented that there was a possibility that the process could take longer than many would’ve liked or anticipated. He added that the administrative process was complicated, noting that historically, challenges to cannabis’ scheduling would take years to resolve.
U.S. Cannabis Council’s head of policy, David Culver, stated that while they were disappointed in the delay, he was still confident about the process.
At the moment, cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I drug. This classification makes it illegal at the federal level, despite many states having legalized the drug for recreational and/or medicinal use.
While the rescheduling delay may be a disappointment to the overall industry, leading firms like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) are probably thinking long term and taking it all in stride as they await the final decision which could impact their strategic plans.
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