DEA's Move To Reclassify Cannabis Seen As 'Significant,' But Fails To Resolve State-Federal Conflict

The DEA's decision to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III is the first time the agency has called for rescheduling botanical cannabis under federal law. This comes after the HHS requested changes to cannabis' Schedule I classification eight months ago. Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws's deputy director called it significant for federal agencies to acknowledge cannabis' therapeutic benefits and safety. However, rescheduling to Schedule III would not resolve the conflict between state cannabis laws and federal regulations. Schedule III substances require FDA approval and prescriptions from licensed pharmacies.