DOJ moves medical marijuana to Schedule III, ending 56-year federal ban

The Department of Justice issued a final order on April 23, 2026, immediately reclassifying state-licensed medical cannabis and FDA-approved marijuana-derived drugs from Schedule I to Schedule III, using treaty-compliance authority to take effect without notice-and-comment rulemaking. The order covered cannabis sold under qualifying state medical licenses and approved products including Epidiolex and Marinol, but explicitly excluded adult-use recreational cannabis. The DOJ announced separate proceedings beginning June 29, 2026 to consider systemwide rescheduling.