Coalition Welcomes HHS Recommendation to Reschedule Cannabis

For Immediate Release: August 30, 2023

Adam Goers, co-chair of the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform, issued the following statement:

“The Biden Administration just took a major step toward ending our nation’s failed war on cannabis. For decades, cannabis has been a Schedule I controlled substance, on par with heroin and above fentanyl and meth. This was completely baseless, and we now know that the FDA and Department of Health and Human Services agree.

“The federal government is now on track to recognize cannabis as medicine, regulated alongside Schedule III drugs such as Tylenol with codeine which have demonstrated medical uses and low risk of abuse. Our ultimate goal is full legalization of cannabis, and we believe that rescheduling is a key step on the way there.

“The regulated cannabis industry in the US is hurting due to lack of capital, uniquely burdensome taxes and nearly unfettered competition from unlicensed operators. Moving down to Schedule III will provide a massive boost to our industry, particularly social equity and small business owners who have suffered the most under the status quo.

“We look forward to continuing to engage with regulators and stakeholders as the administrative review advances. We are confident that a historic shift in our nation’s approach to cannabis is well underway and will be implemented in the coming months. We thank the President and his Administration for initiating the administrative review of cannabis scheduling and following through on their commitment.”