Former Cannabis Regulators Submit Comment to DEA Supporting Rescheduling of Cannabis
Today, six former state cannabis regulators submitted a comment to Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Administrator Ann Milgram, supporting the agency’s proposed rule to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The former regulators from Nevada, Massachusetts, Maine, California, Minnesota, and Washington, represent former public officials who were directly responsible for oversight of both medical and adult-use cannabis marketplaces across the United States and have first-hand experience with the challenges faced by having cannabis listed currently as a Schedule I drug.
“As state regulators, we have seen firsthand the value and effectiveness of cannabis as medicine.
Pairing our experience in states alongside more robust and structured research should set the table for continued reform efforts in the near future.”
As detailed in the submitted comment, the former regulators commend the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for their careful evaluation of the evidence and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for initiating this rulemaking process. They also highlighted the federal government’s opportunity to reassess its own approach and begin the long-overdue process of aligning policy with science.
Former regulators cited the potential for expanded access to clinical research and the opportunity to close gaps in scientific understanding that have vexed policymakers. They are calling on the federal government to engage with states to leverage lessons learned in service of better public policy at every level of bureaucracy.
Furthermore, the former regulators shared their experiences and knowledge in overseeing cannabis markets and underscored the opinion that cannabis does not meet the criteria for Schedule I.
“It is clear that the designation of cannabis as a schedule I controlled substance needs to change,” said Tyler Klimas, former Executive Director of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board. “Leaning on the experience of states and supporting stakeholders during this process will help the federal government immensely.”
“As state regulators, we have seen firsthand the value and effectiveness of cannabis as medicine,” said Shawn Collins, former Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. “Pairing our experience in states alongside more robust and structured research should set the table for continued reform efforts in the near future.”
"Rescheduling cannabis is a pivotal step towards aligning federal policy with science and acknowledges the tireless work of state regulators,” said Erik Gundersen, former Executive Director of Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy. “I am hopeful this will pave the way for more comprehensive and sensible cannabis policies in the future.”
“The great paradox of the United States’ approach to drug scheduling is that it impedes the very research most needed by policymakers,” said Christina Dempsey, former Deputy Director of Policy and Research for the California Department of Cannabis Control. “Rescheduling is an opportunity to accelerate academic study and finally align federal cannabis policy with science.”
