Marijuana rescheduling process remains stalled, DEA says

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) informed an in-house judge this week that a regulatory process to reschedule marijuana initiated under the Biden Administration remains on hold at the agency.

In January, following a legal challenge filed by several pro-rescheduling parties, DEA Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney paused the process, which was set to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

A hearing scheduled for Jan. 21 was cancelled after Mulrooney approved a request from pro-reform advocates to file an interlocutory appeal.

In a joint report submitted to the judge on Monday, the DEA and pro-reformists said that the process remains on hold, with no briefings scheduled.

“To date, Movants’ interlocutory appeal to the Acting Administrator regarding their Motion to Reconsider remains pending with the Acting Administrator. No briefing schedule has been set,” cannabis publication Marijuana Moment reported, quoting the notice.

Both parties sent an identical update to the judge 90 days ago, and they must provide the judge with another update in 90 days.