US drug regulators will hold a public hearing on rescheduling marijuana

The US Drug Enforcement Administration will hold a public hearing in June 2026 to discuss moving marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This means the agency is moving forward with a process that could make marijuana less restricted under federal law.

For decades, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. This classification has made it difficult to research and has shaped federal enforcement. Moving it to Schedule III would acknowledge its medical uses and allow for more research and easier access for medical purposes.