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In a significant step toward the rescheduling of marijuana, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the names of witnesses for a December 2nd hearing. Although the hearing is still set for December, witnesses will now provide testimony and evidence in February 2025. With more states moving toward legalization for both medicinal and recreational purposes, many industry advocates see this as a crucial opportunity to reshape federal policy. Inviting a range of witnesses fosters a more balanced discussion; however, the decision to exclude minority-led organizations raises critical concerns about efficacy and equity.
The DEA's movement toward rescheduling signals changing attitudes about the plant and its possibilities. While more states move toward legalization, industry advocates seeking to establish and scale their companies remain at risk due to the federal scheduling of cannabis. Cannabis Corner reached out directly to the DEA for comment, and as of the publishing of this article, none had yet been received. Diversity within the industry has been at the forefront of recreational marijuana, but medical marijuana does not seem to carry the same energy around equity—a confusing but very real difference between the two sectors.
Witnesses include industry associations, higher education, veterans-oriented organizations, medical and pharmacy practitioners, cannabis companies, transportation, law enforcement, and those related to narcotics. But the Minority Cannabis Business Association, National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers, Marijuana Policy Project, and Minorities for Medical Marijuana are conspicuously absent. (See the full list of witnesses online.)
● Village Farms International (VFF), Shane Pennington of Porter Wright
● National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), Aaron Smith and Michelle Rutter Friberg
● American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr. Chad Kollas, MD
● Cannabis Bioscience International Holdings, John Jones
● Hemp for Victory
● State of Connecticut Cannabis Ombudsman, Erin Kirk
● Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board, Ellen Brown
● Veterans Initiative 22, Shanetha Garulay
● The Doc App, dba My Florida Green, Nicholas Garulay, Jason Castro
● The Commonwealth Project, Katy Green
● Saint Michael’s College, Ari Kirshenbaum, PhD
● National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association, Jo McGuire
● Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Patrick Philbin
● International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis, Roneet Lev
● Cannabis Industry Victims Educating Litigators, David Evans, Sr.
● Kenneth Finn, MD
● National Transportation Safety Board, Jennifer Homendy
● Phillip Drum, PharmD
● State of Nebraska, Attorney General Mike Hilgers
● International Association of Chiefs of Police
● Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents
● American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Natalie Hartenbaum
● Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Sue Thau
● Tennessee Bureau of Investigations
● National Sheriffs' Association
The February hearing represents a crucial opportunity to reshape federal policy, yet it is a missed opportunity to include Black voices, tribal nations, and equity-centered advocates, particularly within the medical marijuana sector. The selected witnesses reflect a significant bias toward mainstream interests, sidelining those historically marginalized in discussions about drug policy reform. Unfortunately, these communities often lack representation in influential discussions, exposing systemic flaws in the policymaking process. The marijuana industry has long been critiqued for its lack of diversity, with many businesses predominantly led by individuals from non-minority backgrounds. Now, the DEA's actions demonstrate legacy practices of dismissiveness in real time, with little backlash.
By excluding minority-led organizations from the rescheduling hearings, the DEA and participants miss a critical chance to acknowledge and address historical injustices. These voices could provide essential insights on how policy changes can rectify past wrongs, rather than perpetuating inequities. Health inequities among Black Americans cannot be separated from cannabis rescheduling, nor should cannabis programs, policies, or ordinances be seen as having the potential for equitable outcomes without intentionally including those most negatively impacted by past federal policies.
While those invited to testify may well carry sentiments of inclusion in their mission statements and may be able to share stories of how rescheduling would benefit communities, reducing Black voices to mere bullet points in the testimonies of allies reinforces existing dynamics of gatekeeping. These stories need to be told firsthand.
As the DEA prepares for its hearings, it is imperative to advocate for the inclusion of minority-led organizations in these discussions. Black involvement is not just a matter of representation—it is crucial for crafting equitable, informed policies that address the complex social landscape surrounding marijuana use and legalization.
Future hearings must guarantee a diverse array of voices, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the communities impacted by marijuana prohibition. Acknowledging the past and actively working toward an inclusive future will help lay the groundwork for a more equitable cannabis policy that benefits everyone. As we approach the potential rescheduling of marijuana, the need for equitable representation has never been more urgent. The stakes are high, and the voices of those most affected cannot be sidelined in this crucial dialogue. It’s time for policymakers to ensure that the table is set for everyone—so that the future of cannabis law reflects a commitment to justice and equity for all Americans.
And they had the nerve to schedule this in Black History Month ... put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Dr. Mila Marshall is an environmental professional and journalist with a passion for advancing sustainability in all sectors. Her passion is directed towards urban food systems in segregated cities.