Cannabis Rescheduling Update 2026: Schedule III Medical Marijuana, June 29 Hearing & Litigation

Описание: On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an order immediately placing both FDA-approved marijuana products and state-regulated medical marijuana products in Schedule III, now opening a public comment period that could culminate in the most significant shift in federal drug policy in more than 50 years.

As the efforts to reschedule cannabis continue, many questions and misconceptions continue to surround the industry because DOJ’s announcement doesn’t automatically reschedule cannabis; it is only the beginning of a complex legal and regulatory process that will unfold over months, involving rulemaking, a public comment period and likely litigation.

Watch this industry leadership panel featuring cannabis attorneys, advocates and policy experts who have played key roles in this historic shift in federal drug policy. They will discuss the rulemaking process, legal, regulatory, and business implications, and how rescheduling may affect the most pressing concerns of cannabis stakeholders.

Topics of Discussion Include:

An immediate analysis of the reclassification order and the dismantling of the 1970 framework.
Operational Impact and 280E: How moving cannabis to Schedule III would impact state-legal programs and broader frameworks for hemp and cannabinoid programs; Process around 280E applications and timeline
DEA registration and compliance process for current medical cannabis businesses
Predictions for the Administrative Hearing
Impacts for state medical and future adult use states
Common misconceptions about cannabis rescheduling and its implications for employment law, M&A, litigation and taxation
FDA guidance on health claims, labeling and drug development processes
Anticipated litigation from prohibitionist groups and its potential impacts on the process

You'll hear from:
Charles Alovisetti, Partner at Vicente LLP
Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML
Adam Fine, Partner at Vicente LLP
Shawn Hauser, Partner at Vicente LLP
Samantha Hong, Partner at KKB Law
Adam J. Smith, Executive Director of Marijuana Policy Project
Brian Vicente, Founding Partner at Vicente LLP