A lawsuit has been filed against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking to reveal emails between the agency and a group opposed to marijuana legalization, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), during the ongoing process of rescheduling marijuana. The lawsuit was filed by attorney Matt Zorn, who claims that the DEA failed to respond to his Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for emails between the agency and SAM.
The lawsuit comes after a DEA administrative law judge denied a motion to remove the agency from the rescheduling process, citing the seriousness of the alleged ex parte contact between the DEA and SAM. The judge’s order did not compel the agency to provide any records, despite acknowledging the allegations of impropriety.
The DEA has been under scrutiny for its handling of the rescheduling process, with some critics arguing that the agency’s decision to reschedule marijuana is based on politics rather than science. The Biden administration has faced criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups for its handling of the issue, with some calling for the agency to expedite the process.
The lawsuit seeks to compel the DEA to provide the requested records within 20 days. The agency has previously denied requests for information on its communications with SAM, citing the need to protect confidential sources and methods.
The rescheduling of marijuana has been a contentious issue, with some arguing that it would remove barriers to research and free up state-licensed businesses to take federal tax deductions. However, others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on public health and safety.
The lawsuit is the latest development in a long-running controversy over the DEA’s handling of the rescheduling process. The agency has faced criticism from lawmakers, advocacy groups, and the public for its slow pace and lack of transparency in the process.
