Bipartisan Support for Cannabis Rescheduling Stalls Under DEA

In a notable shift for U.S. drug policy, former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. proposed downgrading cannabis from the government’s most restrictive drug classification during his final year in office. This change aimed to facilitate research on the therapeutic applications of cannabis, although it would not legalize recreational use at the federal level. Former President Donald J. Trump, while campaigning for the presidency, expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting the potential medical benefits of cannabis.

Despite this promising bipartisan support in 2024, the effort to reschedule cannabis has since stalled. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been slow to act on Biden’s proposal, leading to frustrations among advocates for cannabis reform. According to Anthony Coulson, a former senior DEA agent, the agency has historically opposed changes to cannabis classification, and its current leadership has maintained this stance. Coulson noted that the prolonged process has impeded progress towards achieving rescheduling, stating, “Cannabis reform appears to be all but dead in this administration.”

The DEA’s reluctance has triggered legal challenges from various groups pushing for more lenient cannabis regulations, which further complicates the situation. The agency’s new administrator, Terry Cole, has not committed to moving forward with rescheduling during his recent confirmation hearing, despite acknowledging the need to evaluate the current process.

In response to the stagnation, advocates for cannabis reform are employing unconventional strategies to rekindle interest in rescheduling. The political action committee American Rights and Reform recently launched targeted television advertisements aimed at Trump’s viewership. One advertisement argues that Canadian cannabis companies are gaining an unfair advantage, suggesting that rescheduling could rectify this issue. Another ad aligns with Trump’s narrative about government resistance, stating, “Joe Biden’s DEA’s deep state kept cannabis illegal,” appealing to Trump’s historical criticisms of bureaucratic interference.

Overall, the initial momentum for cannabis rescheduling has faltered, demonstrating the complex dynamics within federal drug policy and the challenges of achieving reform, even with bipartisan support.