WORCESTER—On Friday, July 19, the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) submitted its public comment to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) proposed rule to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), in alignment with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recognition of the accepted medical use of cannabis, its potential for overuse, and its level of physical or psychological dependence.
Whereas the vast majority of the United States has legalized medical cannabis, the District of Columbia and 24 states have legalized adult-use cannabis. Massachusetts was among the first half of the 50 states to legalize medical-use cannabis in 2012, tied for sixth in the nation to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2016, and opened the first retail market on the East Coast in 2018.
In its response, the Commission supported the DOJ and HHS’ acknowledgment of accepted medical cannabis uses, implored the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prioritize and assist those who have been disproportionately impacted by previous marijuana prohibition and enforcement, and requested training and educational resources to ensure successful understanding of the new classification and its implications, among other feedback.
