Marijuana Moment
A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) judge is inviting the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) to explain recent allegations that it was involved in “unlawful” communications with the agency as it considered the Biden administration’s cannabis rescheduling proposal.
Separately, the judge has denied a request from a cannabis and psychedelics researcher to postpone an upcoming hearing on the rescheduling issue.
On Thursday, DEA Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) John Mulrooney filed a supplemental brief in the marijuana case that concerns allegations from two cannabis organizations that certain DEA officials were unlawfully involved in ex parte communications with SAM, which has strongly opposed the government’s plan to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
The ALJ on Wednesday notified DEA that it was welcome to respond to the “serious” allegations. And on Thursday, it extended that invitation to SAM itself, requesting any voluntary responses from both parties by November 25.
The initial motion from Hemp for Victory and Village Farms “alleges, inter alia, that there have been improper ex parte communications between [SAM], a Designated Participant, and officials at the Drug Enforcement Administration,” the latest order says. “In light of these allegations and any potential impact on participation eligibility, SAM is likewise authorized to respond to the Motion.”
