COGR and AAMC Submit Joint Letter to DEA on Rescheduling Marijuana

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) submitted joint comments to the DEA in support of the proposed rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, highlighting that this shift would reduce barriers and administrative burdens for cannabis research at their member institutions. They recommend that the DEA reconsider the exclusion of synthetic THC from the rescheduling analysis to ensure consistent and efficient research oversight, and urge the agency to promptly update its regulatory guidance, clarify existing and additional requirements, and facilitate researchers' access to state-permitted marijuana products. The organizations assert that these actions will advance scientific research that is key to understanding the health effects and potential medical uses of marijuana, aligning regulatory policy with current scientific and medical evidence.