Cannabis Rescheduling: What the Latest Federal Update Could Mean for the Industry
Introduction
Cannabis rescheduling remains one of the most closely watched federal policy developments in the industry. While momentum toward reform has continued over the past year, recent federal inaction highlights how slowly regulatory change can move, even after legislation is passed.
As of January 22, 2026, cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Although Congress and the White House have taken steps intended to ease research barriers and advance rescheduling, several key actions have not yet been implemented.
This article outlines what the latest federal updates mean, what has not yet happened, and why these delays matter for cannabis research and the broader industry.
The Missed Deadline for Schedule I Research Reform
On January 20, 2026, Marijuana Moment reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi missed a congressionally mandated deadline to issue interim rules designed to ease barriers to research on Schedule I substances, including marijuana and certain psychedelics.
Under legislation passed last year and signed into law by President Donald Trump, the attorney general was required to publish interim guidelines by January 16, 2026. These rules were intended to clarify and streamline the registration process for researchers studying Schedule I drugs. As of this writing, those guidelines have not been issued.
Advocacy organizations and researchers argue that the absence of clear guidance leaves institutions and scientists navigating uncertainty, which can delay or prevent legitimate research from moving forward.
What the HALT Fentanyl Act Was Intended to Change
The missed deadline is tied to provisions within the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act). While much of the law focuses on fentanyl-related substances, it also includes sections designed to modernize how Schedule I research is regulated.
According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Section 3 of the law was written to streamline research access for Schedule I substances more broadly, including cannabis.
Key intended changes include:
A simplified registration process for researchers whose work is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Veterans Affairs
Eligibility for researchers operating under an FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) exemption
Defined timelines requiring the DEA to respond to research registration notices within 30 to 45 days
Reduced registration requirements for researchers producing small quantities of Schedule I substances solely for research purposes
The law also allows researchers to develop different dosage forms of a substance in preparation for FDA submissions. However, it explicitly does not grant authority to cultivate marijuana.
These provisions were designed to reduce administrative friction. However, without implementation guidance from the attorney general’s office, they remain largely theoretical.
Why Research Delays Matter
Researchers and policy experts have raised concerns that delays in issuing rules create what they describe as “research harm.” This refers to preventable delays in scientific study caused by unclear or restrictive regulations.
Without clear federal guidance, institutions may hesitate to initiate studies, funding timelines can be disrupted, and data generation slows. This affects research into areas such as pain management, addiction, mental health, and other conditions where cannabis-related compounds are actively being studied.
For an industry that often points to science as a foundation for regulation and product standards, stalled research has long-term consequences.
Cannabis Rescheduling and the Schedule III Question
In addition to research reform, cannabis rescheduling remains unresolved.
Last month, President Trump issued an executive order directing the attorney general to complete the process of moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the CSA. As of January 22, 2026, that rescheduling has not yet occurred.
A move to Schedule III would not legalize cannabis at the federal level, but it would have significant implications. These could include expanded research access, changes to federal tax treatment under IRS code 280E, and clearer pathways for FDA-regulated medical research.
Until formal rescheduling is completed, cannabis remains subject to the most restrictive federal classification.
What This Means for the Cannabis Industry
From an industry perspective, the current situation reflects a familiar pattern. Legislative intent and executive direction exist, but implementation lags behind.
In the near term:
Cannabis remains Schedule I
Research reforms authorized by Congress are not fully operational
Federal agencies have not issued the guidance needed to activate streamlined processes
Longer term, the industry continues to operate in a space where state-regulated markets coexist with federal prohibition and incomplete research infrastructure.
What does this mean?
As of January 22, 2026, federal cannabis reform remains in progress but incomplete. Congress has passed legislation intended to ease research barriers, and the White House has directed agencies to pursue rescheduling. However, missed deadlines and unissued rules have delayed tangible change.
Cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I substance, and the regulatory framework governing research continues to limit large-scale clinical study. Until implementation catches up with policy intent, both researchers and the industry will continue operating under uncertainty.
Understanding these distinctions between legislation, guidance, and enforcement is essential when evaluating where federal cannabis reform truly stands today.
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