Former Trump Attorney General’s Group Urges DEA to Stall Cannabis Rescheduling

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a prohibitionist group, represented by a law firm founded by former Attorney General William Barr, is urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to extend the current public comment period for a proposed marijuana rescheduling rule. They argue that more time is needed to collect feedback, citing the significance of the proposed change from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Request for Extension

SAM’s request, submitted to the DEA, calls for a 30-day extension to the 60-day public comment window that opened late last month. They list four reasons for the extension, emphasizing the need for stakeholders to gather necessary data to address the proposed rule adequately.

Legal Concerns and Impact on Adolescents

The group raises legal questions regarding the proposed rule, including concerns about a “novel test” to determine medical use and implications for international treaties. They also highlight the importance of collecting additional data on the effects of marijuana on adolescent cognitive development, which they argue has been ignored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

SAM’s Legal Strategy and Urgency

SAM officials have indicated that they are considering legal challenges to the proposed rule. They assert that there is no urgency to the rulemaking process and that rushing the comment period would not allow sufficient time for stakeholders to gather and present the best information available.

DEA’s Position and Future Steps

While rumors suggest that some DEA officials may oppose the proposed rescheduling, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram has not publicly commented on the matter. SAM is hopeful that DEA could reject the rescheduling recommendation or consider placing marijuana in Schedule II instead of Schedule III.

SAM’s request for an extension reflects ongoing debates surrounding marijuana rescheduling and highlights the complexities involved in this process. As the DEA considers public comments, stakeholders on both sides of the issue continue to advocate for their positions, underscoring the significance of this proposed change in federal drug policy.