During a hearing with lawmakers, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) declined to comment on the agency’s recent marijuana rescheduling proposal. Administrator Anne Milgram claimed that discussing the subject would be “inappropriate” given the ongoing regulatory process.
The Justice Department revealed the DEA’s decision to potentially reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) just one week before the hearing. Milgram, on the other hand, made it clear that she would not be providing any information on the decision-making process at this point.
While the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) claimed that Milgram did not personally sign the proposed rescheduling rule, she did not confirm or reject these allegations. Instead, she stated that her role in the process precluded her from discussing the issue further.
Despite questions from lawmakers such as Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and Rep. Andrew Clyde, Milgram declined to comment, citing the continuing regulatory procedure. She emphasised the necessity of following right processes and declined to comment on potential consequences or outcomes.
Former DEA Administrator Asa Hutchinson commented on the planned rescheduling, citing changing public attitudes towards medical cannabis. While some see the action as a positive step forward, others, including a Republican senator, are concerned about the potential negative implications.
Overall, the fate of the DEA’s marijuana rescheduling plan is unknown, with additional processes needed before any rule is finalised. Milgram’s reticence to comment underscores the intricacies and sensitivities surrounding this topic among federal agencies and across the political landscape.