DEA Judge Cancels Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing After Appeal Order
A federal judge has notified the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that the agency’s proposal to reschedule marijuana has been put on hold following an appeal order. The decision comes after a request was made to file an appeal, which was granted by the judge.
The appeal was filed by several parties who alleged that certain DEA officials conspired with anti-rescheduling witnesses who were selected for the hearing. The judge denied a motion to remove the DEA from the rescheduling proceedings, citing a lack of evidence to support the allegations.
The judge also recommended that all designated participants in the hearing be included in any briefing schedule and be given the opportunity to brief the issues in the appeal. The notice also mentioned that participants are now awaiting a ruling by the agency head.
The cancellation of the hearing means that the fate of the rescheduling proposal remains uncertain, particularly given the impending change in administration. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support for marijuana reform, but it is unclear how his administration will approach the issue.
The DEA judge has been critical of the agency’s handling of the rescheduling process, citing procedural missteps and a lack of transparency. The judge has also denied several requests to participate in the hearing, including one from a cannabis research company and a coalition of health professionals.
The rescheduling of marijuana would free up licensed cannabis businesses to take federal tax deductions and remove certain research barriers. However, it would not federally legalize marijuana.
The judge’s decision is the latest development in a complex and contentious process that has been ongoing for months. The fate of the rescheduling proposal remains uncertain, but the cancellation of the hearing has added to the uncertainty surrounding the issue.
