DOJ Places FDA-Approved and State-Licensed Medical Marijuana in Schedule III: What Operators Need to Know

On April 22, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a final order placing two categories of marijuana in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA): (1) FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana, and (2) marijuana subject to a qualifying state-issued medical marijuana license). The order was issued under the Attorney General’s treaty-based scheduling authority in 21 U.S.C. § 811(d)(1), took effect immediately, and is accompanied by amendments to 21 CFR Parts 1300, 1301,... By: Frantz Ward LLP