What's the Hold Up? Lawmakers Press DOJ for Answers on Slow Marijuana Rescheduling Progress

It has been about three months since President Trump issued an executive order to speed up the transition of cannabis to Schedule III, and many in the community are starting to ask the same thing: what is taking so long? Tennessee Representative Steve Cohen is now taking those frustrations directly to the top, sending a formal inquiry to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the DEA to find out why the process seems to have hit a snag.

For those of us following the grind, this rescheduling is a big deal. Moving cannabis out of Schedule I—the same category as heroin—would finally acknowledge its medicinal value and lift the crushing 280E tax burden that keeps many of our favorite local shops struggling to stay afloat. While it is not full legalization, it is a massive step toward treating the plant with the respect it deserves.

Cohen’s letter highlights some serious procedural roadblocks. For starters, the administrative hearings that were supposed to happen have stalled out because the judge in charge retired and hasn't been replaced. He is also calling out the DOJ for missing a January deadline to ease research restrictions. This is a major bummer for the scientists trying to study everything from flower to psychedelics, as they are stuck in a regulatory limbo while they wait for new guidelines.

This matters to everyday tokers because better research leads to safer products and more effective therapies. Plus, getting the federal government to move faster means we are that much closer to a world where the industry is treated like any other legitimate business.

If you are curious about how these federal shifts might affect your local stash, it is a good time to keep an eye on how your specific state handles taxes and research. While we wait for the DOJ to get its act together, supporting advocacy groups and staying informed is the best way to keep the momentum going. Stay patient and stay lifted!