Justice Department Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana Subject to a Qualifying State-issued License in Schedule III

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In accordance with President Trump’s December 18, 2025, Executive Order on Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the issuance of an order immediately placing both FDA-approved products containing marijuana and marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, as well as the initiation of an expedited administrative hearing process to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The new hearing, beginning June 29, 2026, will provide a timely and legally compliant pathway to evaluate broader changes to marijuana’s status under federal law. Together, these actions provide immediate and long-term clarity to researchers, patients, and providers alike while still maintaining strict federal controls against illicit drug trafficking.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is placing both FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana, and medicinal marijuana products subject to a qualifying state-issued license in Schedule III under his authority to reschedule drugs to carry out the United States’ obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. This action recognizes the longstanding regulation of medical marijuana by state governments and the need for a common-sense approach to this reality.

“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”

“Under the direction of President Trump and Acting Attorney General Blanche, DEA is expeditiously moving forward with the administrative hearing process — bringing consistency and oversight to an area that has lacked both,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole.  “Our men and women in law enforcement remain committed to fighting drug cartels, the fentanyl epidemic, and protecting American lives.”

Separately, the Department announced procedural updates to expedite the ongoing rulemaking process required to fully remove marijuana from Schedule I and place it into Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

Under the prior administration, a notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2024, followed by a notice of hearing on August 29, 2024. Upon further review, the DEA is withdrawing the prior notice of hearing and terminating those proceedings in order to move more efficiently toward the completion of marijuana’s complete redesignation. This action will accelerate the administrative process, include firm deadlines, and allow DEA to proceed in the most expeditious manner consistent with federal law.

DEA will hold a new administrative hearing beginning June 29, 2026, regarding the proposed rescheduling of marijuana. A new notice of hearing is being published in the Federal Register to govern these proceedings and facilitate a timely resolution of the rulemaking.

Today’s order is reflective of the Department of Justice’s continued dedication to common-sense policies and the prioritization of the safety and well-being of all Americans.

Updated April 23, 2026

Cannabis Regulatory Agency Reminds Retail Licensees About Use of the Word “Dispensary”

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Licensees are reminded that in 2019, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs issued a bulletin requiring licensed medical marijuana facilities to refer to themselves only as “provisioning centers,” and not as “dispensaries.” The bulletin was updated in 2022 and is available on the Department’s website.

The terminology restrictions apply to licensees under both the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA) and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA).

Under the Michigan Public Health Code (MCL 333.17711), the term “dispensary” is restricted to entities authorized under Pharmacy Practice and Drug Control laws.

Accordingly, Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) licensed adult-use retailers and medical marijuana provisioning centers:

  • May not refer to themselves as a “dispensary”
  • May not use the term “dispensary” in advertising or marketing materials
  • May not use related terms such as:
    • Pharmacy
    • Apothecary
    • Drugstore
    • Druggist
    • Medicine store

Licensed medical marijuana facilities and licensed adult-use establishments are required to refer to and advertise themselves in compliance with applicable statutes and administrative rules.

All licensees are encouraged to review their signage, marketing materials, website content, and advertising to ensure full compliance.

Questions regarding terminology requirements may be directed to CRA-Info@michigan.gov.

Nearly $94 Million in Adult-Use Marijuana Payments for Fiscal Year 2025 to be Distributed to Michigan Municipalities, Counties, and Tribes

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March 3, 2026 – Nearly $94 million will be distributed among 313 local government entities and tribes as part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act.

A total of 114 cities, 39 villages, 81 townships, 75 counties, and four tribes will receive payments from the Marijuana Regulation Fund. For the State of Michigan’s 2025 fiscal year, this means each eligible municipality, county, and tribe will receive $54,017.10 for every licensed retail store and microbusiness located within its jurisdiction.

State law outlines how much is distributed to local entities, tribes, schools, roads and bridges:

  • 15% to municipalities and Indian tribes in which a licensed marijuana retail store or microbusiness is located
  • 15% to counties and Indian tribes in which a licensed marijuana retail store or microbusiness is located
  • 35% to the School Aid Fund to be used for K-12 education
  • 35% to the Michigan Transportation Fund to be used for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges

Cannabis Regulatory Agency Files [Eye Watering!] Formal Complaint Against Ground Control Michigan, LLC dba GCM Waypoint

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Michigan Treasury Publishes Draft Revenue Administrative Bulletin for 24% Wholesale Marihuana Tax – Public Comments Welcomed

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Cherry Industries License Surrendered in Cannabis Regulatory Agency Resolution with Detroit Marijuana Grower

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September 30, 2025 — The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) today announced a consent order and stipulation with Cherry Industries LLC (AU-G-C-000925), located at 6387 E. Nevada Street, Detroit, Michigan, resulting in the surrendering of their Class C Grower license.

On April 3, 2024, following an investigation, the CRA issued a formal complaint against the adult-use class C marijuana grower license (no. AU-G-C-000925) of Cherry Industries LLC for violating several provisions of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) and its administrative rules.

During a routine inspection on November 15, 2023, CRA agents discovered Cherry Industries LLC had exceeded their legal plant limit. Additionally, numerous marijuana products, including immature and mature plants, buds, trim, and pre-rolls, were found untagged and not tracked in the state monitoring system. Further review revealed severe inventory tracking issues.

Cherry Industries LLC could not account for large discrepancies in both positive and negative package adjustments, amounting to thousands of pounds of marijuana product and thousands of units. Over 4,200 pounds of product recorded in the statewide monitoring system did not exist physically, and more than 41,000 pounds of wet weight from 115 harvests remained incomplete in the system. It was also found that Cherry Industries LLC had improperly mixed products from different harvests, transferred marijuana that had failed safety testing due to contamination with a banned pesticide, and sold contaminated pre-rolls to consumers.

Additional violations included improper batch sampling practices, failure to provide full access to batches for lab testing, and substantial noncompliance with video surveillance requirements. Although the CRA granted an extension for submitting surveillance footage, the Respondent ultimately provided incomplete and insufficient footage, including missing days, limited camera coverage, and hours-long gaps.

These findings collectively demonstrate significant failures in regulatory compliance, product tracking, safety standards, and operational transparency.

As part of the consent order and stipulation, Cherry Industries LLC license has agreed to permanently voluntarily surrender the license (effective ten days after the effective date of the order) and has agreed that it shall not be renewed, reinstated, reissued, or reactivated, limited or otherwise, at any future date.

CRA announces transition from paper licenses to digital format

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Effective October 1, 2025, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) will transition its Licensed Wall Certifications to a digital format. Once a license is issued, licensees will be able to log into their Accela Portal to access and print their digital wall certification for display. This change provides immediate access to wall certifications, allowing licensees to print or reprint their license at any time during the licensing period, and eliminates potential delays caused by USPS mailing issues. For more information and instructions, please visit https://www.michigan.gov/cra/digital-wall-certificate. Any active licenses will not need to be replaced but will change to the new format upon renewal.