# DOJ Expected to Ease Marijuana Controls as Soon as Wednesday > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/doj-marijuana-controls-easing-cannabis-research-update/ > **Published:** 2026-04-22T18:05:55-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:15:01-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** DOJ marijuana controls easing could transform cannabis research and federal regulation, enabling new clinical trials and policy developments. --- ✦ New CED Clinical Relevance  #70Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. ⚒ Cannabis News  |  CED Clinic PolicyResearchFederal RegulationClinical Trials[Drug Development](https://cedclinic.com/hydrogen-sulfide-releasing-nsaid-derivative/) Why This Matters Federal rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule II would fundamentally alter the research landscape for [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/), potentially enabling controlled clinical trials that have been severely restricted for decades. This regulatory shift could accelerate evidence generation for conditions where preliminary data suggests therapeutic benefit but definitive studies remain limited. Clinical Summary The DOJ is reportedly preparing to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II under the Controlled Substances Act, following DEA recommendation. This change would acknowledge accepted medical use while maintaining federal controls similar to prescription opioids. The move follows extensive review by HHS and represents the most significant federal policy shift on cannabis since the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Schedule II classification would maintain prescription requirements and federal oversight while removing the absolute prohibition on [medical research](https://cedclinic.com/cb2-receptor-agonist-parkinsons/) that Schedule I imposes. Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is potentially the most important development for [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) in my career — not because it changes what works clinically, but because it finally allows us to study it properly. We’ll finally be able to generate the quality evidence that both patients and skeptical colleagues deserve.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should expect gradual rather than immediate changes to clinical practice, as state medical cannabis programs will likely continue operating under existing frameworks. However, this opens the door for rigorous clinical trials, standardized dosing studies, and drug interaction research that could significantly improve clinical guidance over the next 5-10 years. Watch for pharmaceutical companies to begin serious cannabis [drug development](https://cedclinic.com/hydrogen-sulfide-releasing-nsaid-derivative/) programs. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20DOJ%20Expected%20to%20Ease%20Marijuana%20Controls%20as%20Soon%20as%20Wed.%20-%20YouTube%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DmUNd7egbyVU)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DmUNd7egbyVU)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20DOJ%20Expected%20to%20Ease%20Marijuana%20Controls%20as%20Soon%20as%20Wed.%20-%20YouTube%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DmUNd7egbyVU)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUNd7egbyVU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUNd7egbyVU) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What is the clinical relevance rating for this cannabis news update?](#What_is_the_clinical_relevance_rating_for_this_cannabis_news_update) - [What categories does this cannabis news cover?](#What_categories_does_this_cannabis_news_cover) - [Why is this news marked as “New”?](#Why_is_this_news_marked_as_8220New8221) - [What does “Notable Clinical Interest” mean for healthcare providers?](#What_does_8220Notable_Clinical_Interest8221_mean_for_healthcare_providers) - [How does this relate to federal cannabis regulation?](#How_does_this_relate_to_federal_cannabis_regulation) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### What is the clinical relevance rating for this cannabis news update? This update has been assigned CED Clinical Relevance #70, which indicates “Notable Clinical Interest.” This rating suggests the findings or policy developments are emerging and worth monitoring closely by healthcare professionals. #### What categories does this cannabis news cover? The news update covers multiple important areas including Policy, Research, Federal Regulation, and Clinical Trials. These categories indicate comprehensive coverage of cannabis-related developments across regulatory and clinical domains. #### Why is this news marked as “New”? The “New” designation indicates this is recently published or updated information from CED Clinic. This helps healthcare providers identify the most current developments in cannabis medicine and policy. #### What does “Notable Clinical Interest” mean for healthcare providers? This classification means the information contains emerging findings or policy developments that could impact clinical practice. Healthcare providers should monitor these developments as they may influence future treatment protocols or regulatory compliance. #### How does this relate to federal cannabis regulation? The inclusion of “Federal Regulation” as a category suggests this news addresses changes or developments in federal cannabis policy. This is particularly relevant for clinicians as federal regulations directly impact prescribing practices and clinical trial conduct. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence DOJ moves to ease restrictions on medical marijuana – NBC News Explore how the DOJ is planning to relax medical marijuana restrictions, potentially opening new avenues for research and patient access. Read More White House pushes imminent easing of controls on marijuana – The Washington Post An in-depth look at the White House's efforts to ease marijuana controls and the expected impact on federal policy and [clinical research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/). Learn More [Medical marijuana reclassified: What Schedule III means for research and laws – YouTube](https://cedclinic.com/medical-marijuana-schedule-iii-research-expansion/) Understand the implications of medical marijuana's reclassification to Schedule III and how it affects research and legal frameworks. [Watch Now](https://cedclinic.com/medical-marijuana-schedule-iii-research-expansion/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).