The US cannabis rescheduling project, which has been stuck in limbo since being ‘temporarily’ shelved six months ago, is now facing another existential threat from the government’s wide reaching budget.
On Tuesday (July 15), the House Appropriations Committee voted (9-6) to pass the ‘Fiscal Year 2026 bill for the Commerce, Justice, Science’ bill, containing language which would specifically prevent any funding being allocated to the rescheduling process.
In Section 531, the Committee bill acknowledges that there is a tension between Federal law and state laws regarding cannabis. “The Committee observes that marijuana still remains a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act despite the fact 38 states, including the District of Columbia, have public programs for medical marijuana.”
It is important to note that the substance’s current Schedule I status means it, by definition has no medicinal use.
Following an acknowledgement of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) ongoing review of the 2023 recommendation to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III, the committee ‘strongly encourages DEA to expeditiously complete its review and issue a final determination in a timely manner.’
The Committee continued, “The Committee directs DEA also to brief the Committee not later than 60 day after the enactment this Act about the status of their review and projected timeline for a decision.”
This is again particularly relevant to the current situation, given that last week the DEA issued an update confirming that the ‘interlocutory appeal to the Acting Administrator regarding their Motion to Reconsider remains pending with the Acting Administrator’, and that no briefing schedule has been set’. In other words, in the last six months nothing significant has occurred.
The bill’s later sections could be the last nail in the coffin of rescheduling, even though the recommendations were made to speed up the process.
Section 607 expressly prohibits the use of funds in this appropriations measure to reschedule, or deschedule, cannabis regardless of HHS recommendation or DEA review.
The text reads as follows: No funds made available or appropriated by this Act can be used to reschedule cannabis (as defined at section 102 (21 U.S.C. The Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 812).”
According to an article from the Marijuana Herald, Donald Trump, during a private meeting with two US House of Representatives members last week: “We will be moving ahead soon with the rescheduling of marijuana.”
This publication was unable, however, to confirm that this source was an employee of a Congressman.
A bill from the House Appropriations Committee, the Fiscal Years 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, also targeted the rescheduling.
The FDA’s 2023 cannabis review recommended that it be moved from Schedule I (the Controlled Substances act) to Schedule III. Lawmakers requested the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to look at any deviations in drug scheduling.
After the Commerce, Justice and Science subcommittee has passed the bill, it now goes to a Full House Committee to be reviewed, and then to debates on the House and Senate floors.
The US cannabis rescheduling project, which has been stuck in limbo since being ‘temporarily’ shelved six months ago, is now facing another existential threat from the government’s wide reaching budget.
On Tuesday (July 15), the House Appropriations Committee voted (9-6) to pass the ‘Fiscal Year 2026 bill for the Commerce, Justice, Science’ bill, containing language which would specifically prevent any funding being allocated to the rescheduling process.
In Section 531, the Committee bill acknowledges that there is a tension between Federal law and state laws regarding cannabis. The Committee points out that marijuana still remains a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act despite 38 state and District of Columbia allowing comprehensive public medical cannabis programs.
It is important to note that the substance’s current Schedule I status means it, by definition has no medicinal use.
Following an acknowledgement of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) ongoing review of the 2023 recommendation to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III, the committee ‘strongly encourages DEA to expeditiously complete its review and issue a final determination in a timely manner.’
Continued: “The Committee directs DEA also to give a briefing on its status and projected timeline of a final decision to the Committee not later than 60 day after enactment.”
This is again particularly relevant to the current situation, given that last week the DEA issued an update confirming that the ‘interlocutory appeal to the Acting Administrator regarding their Motion to Reconsider remains pending with the Acting Administrator’, and that no briefing schedule has been set’. In other words, in the last six months nothing significant has occurred.
The bill’s later sections could be the death knell for rescheduling, even though the recommendations were made to speed up the process.
The section 607 of the appropriations act explicitly prohibits any use of funds to reschedule marijuana or de-schedule it, regardless of HHS or DEA reviews.
The text reads as follows: No funds made available or appropriated by this Act can be used to reschedule cannabis (as defined at section 102 (21 U.S.C. The Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 812).”
According to an article from the Marijuana Herald, Donald Trump told two US House of Representatives Members in a closed-door meeting held last week that “we’ll soon be moving forward with rescheduling cannabis”.
This publication was able confirm that this source was an employee of a Congressman, but was not able to verify anything beyond this.
A bill from the House Appropriations Committee, entitled the Fiscal Year 2020 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, also aimed at rescheduling.
The FDA’s 2023 cannabis review recommended that it be moved from Schedule I (the Controlled Substances act) to Schedule III. Lawmakers requested the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to look at any deviations in drug scheduling.
After the Commerce, Justice and Science subcommittee has passed the bill, it now goes to a Full House Committee to be reviewed, and then to debates on the House and Senate floors.
Cannabis Law Resources in Poland
Browse essential legal pages on cannabis sales and cultivation in Poland. These guides will help you understand the legal requirements, such as certifications and permissions.
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Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
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Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
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Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
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Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
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Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Registration of Medical Products in Poland