The hearing to debate the merits of the Department of Justice’s proposed rule to reschedule cannabis – what many consider the most significant drug reform decision in over 50 years – along with the future of cannabinoid hemp, which continues to hang in the balance, once again captured the lion’s share of the industry’s interest in June.
The details of the administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing to consider the proposed rule to reschedule all cannabis (beyond FDA-approved and state-licensed medical cannabis, which were already rescheduled in late April) grabbed Cannabis Business Times readers’ attention and fast; this month’s No. 1 most-read article, “DEA Comes Out Swinging in Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing,” was published on the very last day of June and still topped the charts of CBT’s most-read stories for the month.
The article, written by CBT Editor Tony Lange, covered Day 1 of the historic hearing, including the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) opening statements. In those statements, the DEA made it clear for the first time that it is in support of the proposed rule to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Lange was one of only two media outlets (along with The New York Times’ health reporter) who attended Day 1 of the hearing.
(Editor’s note: On July 1, just hours past the deadline to make June’s article lineup, CBT published Lange’s detailed account of anti-rescheduling hearing participants’ cross-examination of FDA scientist Dominic Chiapperino, who testified as the DEA's fact witness on the Schedule III recommendation.)
This month’s second most-read article, “White House Asks Congress to Revise Hemp Definition, Delay THC Product Ban,” covered The White House’s continuation of President Donald Trump’s April call to fix a federal law imposing a forthcoming ban on intoxicating hemp products through a request from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Just two articles in this month’s Top 10 stories were not focused on rescheduling and hemp.
CBT’s announcement of its 8th annual ‘Best Cannabis Companies to Work For’ program being open for entries from all cannabis businesses (plant-touching and ancillary) jumped into the No. 3 most-read spot.
Coming in at No. 9 was a feature on the prohibitionist-driven effort to repeal Massachusetts’ legal adult-use cannabis industry overcoming a legal challenge, enabling the proposed petition to move a step closer to securing a November 2026 ballot position.
Interest in rescheduling and the future of cannabinoid hemp – and perhaps years and years of disappointment in the Senate (see, for example, “SAFE Banking Bill is Back—Back Again—Again, Again, Again …”) – edged out two articles on Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking legislation being introduced in the House and Senate from this month’s most-read list.
Here are all of CBT’s Top 10 stories from June:
10. 5 ‘Aggrieved Persons’ Sue Trump, DOJ Over Cannabis Rescheduling Order
A substance abuse recovery clinic, two doctors, a victims’ advocacy organization and a pharmaceutical company claim the order was unlawful.
9. Massachusetts Cannabis Prohibitionists Survive Legal Challenge; Petition Remains on Track
The state’s high court ruled that Attorney General Joy Campbell properly certified the petition that aims to repeal adult-use legalization laws.
8. Anti-Rescheduling Parties Ask Court to Stay Schedule III Cannabis Order
A national drug screening association and a private pharmaceutical cannabinoid development company argue they’ll suffer irreparable harm.
7. 3 US House Republicans Attempt to Thwart Intoxicating Hemp Product Ban
The GOP lawmakers filed three proposed amendments to a federal appropriations bill to modify, delay or stop the ban’s forthcoming implementation.
6. The Hemp Loophole Is Closing, But We Still Need to Fix What It Broke (Opinion)
Congress is finally moving to regulate hemp-derived THC. Licensed cannabis operators have been waiting years for this moment. Now we need to make sure it actually sticks.
5. DEA Names 7 Anti-Rescheduling Parties for Cannabis Hearing, Zero Pro Parties
Derek C. Julius will be the DEA’s chief administrative law judge to oversee the hearing of a proposed rule to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug.
4. Federal Judge Grants 10 Hemp Companies TRO in Ohio
The temporary restraining order allows the hemp beverage businesses to conduct activities compliant with federal laws for at least 14 days.
3. 8th Annual ‘Best Cannabis Companies to Work For’ Now Open for Entries
Cannabis Business Times invites plant-touching and ancillary companies to register and gain the recognition they deserve for being one of the industry’s best employers.
2. White House Asks Congress to Revise Hemp Definition, Delay THC Product Ban
The president’s Office of Management and Budget is pushing Congress to include the ‘fair treatment of hemp products’ in funding legislation.
1. DEA Comes Out Swinging in Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing
The government argued in support of currently accepted medical use; anti-rescheduling parties attempted to poke holes in the Schedule III recommendation.
