DEA Acknowledges Cannabis's Medical Benefits and Relative Safety at Rescheduling Hearing
Key Insights
DEA and FDA officials highlighted cannabis's medical benefits and relative safety compared to alcohol and opioids on the first day of the rescheduling hearing.
The DEA has begun on-site inspections at state-licensed cannabis businesses applying for federal protections under the Trump administration's rescheduling move.
A study found cannabis effective for short-term reduction of PTSD (search) symptoms, though long-term baselines remained unaffected.
Lawyers for the Drug Enforcement Administration (search) (DEA) and a Food and Drug Administration (search) (FDA) official highlighted testimony on marijuana's medical benefits and its relative safety compared to substances such as alcohol and opioids on the first day of a hearing on cannabis rescheduling. The acknowledgment marks a notable shift in federal rhetoric around cannabis, as the DEA—historically the agency most resistant to reform—publicly addressed the therapeutic potential and safety profile of the substance.
The hearing, convened as part of the Trump administration's broader move to federally reschedule cannabis, has drawn significant attention from lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and reform advocates. Bipartisan lawmakers told Marijuana Moment that they do not believe efforts in Congress to block the rescheduling proposal will succeed as the DEA hearing proceeds.
On-Site Inspections Begin at State-Licensed Businesses
In parallel with the hearing, the DEA has commenced on-site inspections at state-licensed cannabis businesses that applied to register for federal protections under the rescheduling initiative. A dispensary operator who was visited by DEA agents for six hours described the experience to Marijuana Moment, noting that the agents were "very cordial" and "did not come in overbearing." The operator characterized the agents as "new to this whole process too," relaying that they conveyed an attitude of "we're gonna work on it together."
Maryland regulators have also sent notices to marijuana dispensaries regarding DEA inspections, signaling that the agency's on-the-ground engagement with state-legal operators is expanding across multiple jurisdictions.
Scientific Evidence on Therapeutic Potential
Recent scientific findings have bolstered the case for cannabis's medical utility. A review concluded that "cannabis was effective in the short-term reduction of self-reported baseline symptoms associated with PTSD (search)," though the same review noted that "long-term baselines remained seemingly unaffected." Additionally, a study in mice found that "cannabidiol reduces atypical absence seizures (search) and epileptic spasms (search)," adding to the body of preclinical evidence supporting cannabinoid-based therapies for neurological conditions.
Another study reported that cannabis extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles "offer a promising natural approach to protect the skin from UVB-induced damage, supporting their potential as bioactive candidates for future skincare or cosmeceutical applications for preventing photoaging and inflammation."
Transparency and Access Concerns
Despite the DEA's assertion of a "commitment to transparency," the agency has maintained its refusal to livestream the rescheduling hearing proceedings. This decision has drawn criticism from multiple quarters, including Marijuana Moment, a congressman, and the International Cannabis Bar Association, all of whom have called for public access. Marijuana reform activists held a press conference outside the DEA's hearing to highlight how supporters are being "shut out" of the process.
The DEA also selected participants for the hearing, and according to reports, only opponents of reform were invited to participate, further fueling concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the proceedings.
Industry and Economic Context
The rescheduling hearing unfolds against a backdrop of shifting economic dynamics in the legal cannabis industry. A new report from Vangst and Whitney Economics shows that U.S. legal marijuana sales totals declined for the first time in 2025 amid price compression and oversupply issues. However, the report projects that the dip could reverse as federal rescheduling potentially creates new opportunities for businesses. The U.S. cannabis industry currently employs approximately 412,500 people.
Meanwhile, a Marijuana Policy Project analysis found that states have generated more than $28 billion in recreational cannabis tax revenue since the first markets came online, with some states now generating more revenue from legal marijuana than from alcohol. A separate study found that "higher cannabis taxes reduce legal cannabis sales but also decrease tax revenues," presenting a complex policy calculus for lawmakers.
Legislative Developments
In Virginia, the Senate and House of Delegates accepted Gov. Abigail Spanberger's amendments to a budget bill containing provisions to legalize recreational marijuana sales, meaning the legislation has been formally enacted into law without requiring additional action from the governor. The Supreme Court has also applied its ruling on marijuana consumers' gun rights to other pending cases, rejecting the government's previously filed appeals and sending a case back to a lower court "for further consideration in light of United States v. Hemani."