Dec. 19, 2025 Statement from CRA Executive Director Brian Hanna
On December 18, 2025, the President signed an Executive Order directing his administration to move expeditiously toward rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act. While this action signals a meaningful development in federal cannabis policy, it is important to note that the U.S. Department of Justice has not yet issued a final rule.
Until such a rule is finalized and takes effect, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I substance under federal law.
At this time, the timeline for completion of the federal rulemaking process remains unknown.
The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) is closely monitoring federal developments and reviewing available educational materials, including an overview prepared by the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), which examines the President’s Executive Order and outlines potential implications should marijuana be rescheduled to Schedule III.
The CANNRA document addresses several key questions, including:
- What remains unknown following the Executive Order
- What moving marijuana to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act could mean
- What may happen to state-regulated marijuana markets under Schedule III
- What a move to Schedule III could mean for the regulated marijuana industry
- What a move to Schedule III could mean for marijuana research
- What else could be potentially impacted by a move to Schedule III
- What will not change under Schedule III
- What other unknowns remain that could impact implementation of rescheduling
This CANNRA document is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to represent a policy position of CANNRA or any of its members. CANNRA is a nonpartisan association of governments and does not lobby.
The CRA will continue to keep licensees, stakeholders, and the public informed as additional information becomes available and as federal actions translate into concrete regulatory guidance. Our focus remains on maintaining a stable, compliant, and well-regulated Michigan cannabis market while preparing responsibly for potential changes at the federal level.
