The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made an error in stating that President Joe Biden sent a “letter” directing a marijuana scheduling review to top agencies, according to the Justice Department.
Before the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a recommendation to reschedule cannabis last month, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram mentioned during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing in late July that the president had sent a letter to the HHS secretary and the attorney general to initiate the scheduling or descheduling process.
However, it has now been clarified that there was no separate letter from President Biden. Instead, Milgram was referring to the president’s public statement made on October 6, 2022, which announced the scheduling review directive and a mass pardon for individuals with federal marijuana possession offenses.
While it’s likely there was prior communication between the agencies, it did not take the form of a formal letter from the president. Now, the focus is on the outcome of the marijuana scheduling review. HHS has completed its part by providing scientific findings and recommending moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
The DEA is currently conducting its own review before making a final decision. While not bound to follow HHS’s recommendation, it is expected that the scientific findings, along with political and public pressure, may influence the DEA to make some changes.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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