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US eases cannabis for medical use: Access, research, and regulation explained
The U.S. government reclassified cannabis to Schedule III, expanding patient access to medical cannabis and enabling broader research into its safety and effectiveness. The decision also places FDA-approved marijuana products and state-licensed medical cannabis under Schedule III and establishes an expedited hearing process to evaluate broader rescheduling.
Why It Matters
It provides immediate clarity to researchers, patients, and healthcare providers and signals a potential shift in federal treatment of cannabis.
Timeline
2 Events
Hearing to evaluate broader rescheduling to Schedule III begins (June 29, 2026)
April 23, 2026
The press release states an expedited administrative hearing will begin on June 29, 2026 to evaluate moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, providing a timely pathway to changes in federal classification and supporting continued research into medical marijuana.
US reclassifies cannabis to Schedule III to expand medical access and research
April 23, 2026
The Department of Justice announced the move, placing both FDA-approved marijuana-based drugs and state-regulated medical cannabis products into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the decision reflects moderate to low addiction potential and expands patients' access to treatments while empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions. The press release also described an expedited administrative hearing process to consider broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, with a hearing beginning June 29, 2026. Separately, the Department announced procedural updates to expedite the ongoing rulemaking to fully remove marijuana from Schedule I and place it into Schedule III under the CSA, and noted that state-level regulation of medical marijuana is acknowledged.