DEA Announces Hearing on Proposed Marijuana Rescheduling

DEA Announces Hearing on Proposed Marijuana Rescheduling

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have taken the next procedural step in the ongoing effort to reconsider marijuana’s status under federal law. Following the previously announced proposal to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, the DEA has formally issued a Notice of Hearing on the proposed rulemaking.

According to the official notice, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will hold a hearing with respect to the proposed rescheduling of marijuana into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act beginning June 29, 2026.  This proposal was first introduced in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published May 21, 2024. In accordance with Executive Order 14370, DEA is completing this process in the most expeditious manner in accordance with Federal law.

The hearing is scheduled to begin June 29, 2026, at 9 a.m. ET at the DEA Hearing Facility in Arlington, Virginia, and is expected to conclude no later than July 15, 2026. The proceeding will be conducted under formal administrative hearing rules and is intended to ensure transparency, with the DEA noting its commitment to providing public updates throughout the process.

In accordance with 21 U.S.C. 811 and 812, the purpose of the hearing is to “receiv[e] factual evidence and expert opinion regarding whether marijuana should be transferred to Schedule III of the list of controlled substances.” Stakeholders who wish to participate must submit a formal notice of intent, outlining their interest, specific objections or issues, and their position on the proposed rule.

Electronic filing may be made as a PDF attachment via email to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Attn:

Administrator at nprm@dea.gov, on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 24, 2026.

If filing by mail, written notice must be filed with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Attn:

Administrator, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152, and must be postmarked on or

before May 20, 2026.

Paper requests that duplicate electronic submissions are not necessary and are discouraged.

Each notice of intention to participate must be in conformity with the requirements of 21

CFR 1308.44(b) and in the form prescribed in 21 CFR 1316.48.

This hearing represents a critical milestone in federal cannabis policy reform, offering industry participants, medical experts, and other interested parties an opportunity to directly influence the outcome of the rescheduling decision.

For more details, view the full Press Release here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-places-fda-approved-marijuana-products-and-products-containing-marijuana

Notice of Hearing: https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1437446/dl?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery