Public Backs Cannabis Rescheduling in 42K DEA Comments, Study Finds

Public support for cannabis rescheduling runs deep across America, according to new research analyzing more than 42,000 comments submitted to the Drug Enforcement Administration's 2024 rescheduling proposal. The Johns Hopkins University and UC San Diego study reveals overwhelming backing for moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, providing concrete evidence of shifting public sentiment that could influence federal policy decisions.

The comment analysis represents the largest dataset of public opinion on federal cannabis policy in recent years, offering regulators and lawmakers quantifiable proof of American attitudes toward medical cannabis reform. This groundswell of support arrives as the DEA continues reviewing the Biden administration's recommendation to reschedule cannabis, a process that has stretched across multiple years and created uncertainty for cannabis operators and investors.

For cannabis companies, sustained public backing strengthens the political foundation for rescheduling, which would eliminate the punitive 280E tax provision that prevents cannabis businesses from deducting standard operating expenses. Major multi-state operators like Curaleaf Holdings (CURLF), Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF), and Trulieve Cannabis (TCNNF) could see immediate margin improvements if 280E disappears, potentially adding millions to their bottom lines annually.

The research comes as cannabis stocks trade near multi-year lows despite growing state-level legalization and improving operational metrics across the sector. The AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS) has declined over 70% from its 2021 peaks, reflecting investor fatigue with federal inaction and regulatory delays. Strong public support data could reinvigorate institutional interest if it accelerates the rescheduling timeline.

While public opinion favors reform, the DEA maintains final authority over scheduling decisions and has historically resisted cannabis policy changes. The agency faces pressure from multiple directions: scientific evidence supporting medical cannabis, state-level momentum with 38 states allowing medical use, and now documented public support. The convergence of these factors creates the strongest regulatory backdrop for cannabis reform in decades, though timing remains unpredictable given the complex federal review process.