Best of the Week: January 10–January 16, 2025

Let’s dive into the top stories shaping the conversation this week.

1. Cannabis Rescheduling Delayed: DEA Judge Puts a Pin in Cannabis Reform

Our most significant news story of the week involved a pivot in the progress of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) cannabis rescheduling hearings. The cannabis rescheduling hearing originally set for January 21, 2025, was cancelled by DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney II in response to a motion submitted by Village Farms International Inc., Hemp for Victory, and OCO et al. The motivants had filed a motion to disqualify DEA from oversight of the rescheduling process in November, alleging bias on the part of DEA against rescheduling. Cannabis Science and Technology reached out to Robert Head, Board Chair of Hemp for Victory for commentary.

2. Americans for Safe Access Hosts Webinar to Discuss Impacts and Next Steps for Patients after Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing Delayed

To continue our coverage of the hearings, we reported on a subsequent webinar from Americans for Safe Access (ASA). To help explain what this new development means for the rescheduling process and for medical cannabis patients, ASA focused on this topic in its weekly webinar Lunch & Learn with Americans for Safe Access, hosted by ASA founder and executive director Steph Sherer. As Sherer explained, ASA is a coalition of healthcare, medical cannabis, and wellness stakeholders that are working to integrate medical cannabis into the US healthcare systems.

3. Wisconsin Governor Proposes Binding Referendum Process to Empower Voters on Issues Including Cannabis

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced a proposal to allow Wisconsin voters to put referenda and amendments on the ballot. Currently in the state, approving ballot measures and placing them on the ballot is done only by the Legislature. The Governor’s proposal would be included as part of the 2025–2027 biennial budget. Through this proposal, Wisconsin voters could enact statutory and constitutional changes though a majority vote.

4. DoorDash Now Offering Delivery of Hemp-Derived THC and CBD Products

Known for servicing food orders from restaurants, grocery stores, and more, DoorDash is expanding their offerings to include hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) products in certain states for on-demand delivery. According to the company’s press release, customers will be able to purchase to meet their THC and CBD product demands through DashMart, Total Wine & More, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, and more.

5. Cannabis Legalization Does Not Lead To Increased Cannabis Use in Youth, Report States

The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) announced it had compiled data from various reports related to the effect of recreational adult cannabis legalization on cannabis use in youth in the US. The MPP stated that based on the data, which included data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Prevention and Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey, and data from states individually, cannabis legalization was associated with a decrease in youth cannabis use. The MPP report listed data from 21 states on the percentages of self-reported past 30-day cannabis use by students before and after cannabis was legalized in the state.