[PRESS RELEASE] – WASHINGTON, May 28, 2026 – The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) announced it has retained top legal counsel to defend the federal government's historic rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III – the most significant shift in federal cannabis policy in over 50 years – against a coordinated and well-funded legal assault.
ATACH, as part of its growing legal team, has officially retained Shane Pennington of Blank Rome, who is widely regarded as the country's leading legal mind on marijuana rescheduling. Pennington brings extensive experience having litigated landmark cases involving the Administrative Procedure Act, the Controlled Substances Act, and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act – the precise legal terrain at issue in the challenges ahead. Additional members of ATACH's growing legal team will be announced soon.
ATACH has been leading the industry’s response to federal rescheduling efforts since 2022 – namely founding and leading the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform (CCSR) – and participating in regulatory proceedings and advocacy for the policy shift that culminated in the recent Schedule III designation.
Now, ATACH is leading the fight to defend it as extremely well-resourced opponents of rescheduling are filing legal challenges in federal court seeking to block the Schedule III designation.
The group has filed a notice of intent to participate in a DEA hearing on broad federal rescheduling of cannabis, set to begin next month. ATACH has also gathered industry players, respective general counsels, and state-level member organizations – convening weekly stakeholder meetings. Companies or associations looking to contribute directly to the legal defense effort can contact ATACH.
Additionally, to bring more resources to the legal effort, ATACH and Dutchie also announced the launch of "Round Up for Rescheduling" – the first publicly coordinated industry campaign to raise funds in defense of rescheduling. The campaign builds on Dutchie's existing "Round Up the Change" initiative, which enables consumers to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar at participating dispensaries, with proceeds directed to cannabis reform partners.
Dutchie's network of more than 6,500 dispensaries gives the campaign a national grassroots reach. ATACH is calling on its member organizations to participate. The campaign will raise funds through the full course of litigation – beyond the initial June 29 hearing – to ensure the industry has the sustained resources needed to see this fight through.
Statement from ATACH President Michael Bronstein:
"ATACH has been leading the fight to secure rescheduling since forming the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform. Today, we are tripling down on that effort to defend the future of our industry. Extremely well-funded opponents are working to derail this historic policy shift – the stakes could not be higher."
Statement from Bryan Barash, Vice President, External Affairs and Deputy General Counsel at Dutchie and co-chair of ATACH’s Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform:
"Cannabis reform has always been driven by grassroots action and the collective efforts of this community. Dutchie is proud to stand alongside our industry partners in the push for long-overdue progress. Rescheduling to Schedule III is a historic win for the operators, advocates, and everyday consumers who have pushed for change for decades, but the work is far from over. Round Up for Rescheduling gives all retailers and consumers an easy way to help defend this milestone and protect the momentum the industry has fought so hard to build."
The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) is the United States largest federally registered 501(c)(6) trade association of its kind, advancing cannabis and hemp policy at the federal and state level.
