HHS

manualCAD

Weird play before the hearing. Weird play before SAFE Banking. Weird play before Fat Joe. Weird play before Farm Bill. Weird play before Anne Milgram. Weird play before Cole Memo. Weird play before Dems take the Senate. Weird play before Repubs take the Senate. Weird play before Biden. Weird play before Trump. Weird play before Fat Joe. Weird play before Mike Tyson. Weird play before HHS recommendation. Weird play before interstate commerce. Weird play before exports to EU. Weird play before hemp carve outs. Weird play before institutional investors. Weird play before THCa. Weird play before $5B investment. Weird play before fake walls. Weird play before Aphria. Weird play before Booker throws himself down. Weird play before 280e relief. Weird play before GTI / Circle K. Weird play before TLRY buys the alcohol brands. Weird play before Schumer's tweet about decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. Weird play before Doug Kass. Weird play before Shardi B. Weird play before bread in the oven. Weird play before cresco bestco. Weird play before GTI has no tax liability. Weird play before Amendment 3. Weird play before MSOS. Weird play before the barbarians arrive at the gates.

chinaski73

Warsh was the only one not to submit a dot plot. Didn’t want his master Trump to find out if he plotted a hike most likely. He’s going to fuck up the fed like RFK Jr HHS

the_mammynun

It was a relay. Biden had two years to get it done after the HHS report was finalized.

No_Love_Gained

No shade at Trump, I think someone showed him the money and he's gone ahead and made this happen (atleast the medical bits). Also tbf, this whole rescheduling discussion was kicked off with Biden's order to HHS for review, albeit lacking follow up to get this over the finish line for whatever reason. It was an easy win for Dems and they failed and allowed Trump to capitalize.

ShittyUsernane1222

\> Ebola in India and DRC \> Hantavirus cases slowly moving up while tracking is established \> Screwworms moving north \> antivaxxer leading the HHS 2026 is truly the year of nurgle.

No_Love_Gained

Reminds me of timelines discussed back in 2023 after the initial HHS review was initiated....lol

KAI5ER

here we go: **Immediately after July 15** The ALJ writes up findings and recommendations. This is not a quick process even under pressure — expect 2-4 weeks minimum. The ALJ has to summarize the entire hearing record, assess witness credibility, evaluate competing evidence, and make recommendations to the DEA Administrator. Realistically that lands on the Administrator's desk sometime in early to mid August. **The Administrator's review** Terry Cole then has to review the entire record — the ALJ findings, all 43,000 public comments, the HHS scientific recommendation, the hearing testimony — and decide whether to publish a final rule. There's no hard deadline on this step. That's actually the soft underbelly of the entire timeline. The expedited hearing has a hard July 15 deadline. The Administrator's review does not. Under political pressure from the White House — which has already demonstrated it will publicly complain about slow-walking — Cole would be expected to move quickly. But quickly here probably means 4-6 weeks not 4-6 days. So realistically a final rule gets published somewhere between late August and late September. **The 30-90 day effective date window** Once the final rule is published it needs a minimum 30-day effective date under the APA. The DEA already argued this is not a major rule under the CRA so they're claiming the 60-day Congressional Review window doesn't apply. SAM will dispute that. If DEA is right — 30 days minimum. Final rule effective late September to October. If SAM convinces a court it's a major rule — 60-day Congressional Review window kicks in on top of the 30-day APA minimum. That pushes effectiveness to November or December.

Trvthnvker696967

Someone who wants to sell homeopathic medicine and has the ear of a gullible HHS head. A month from now some conspiracy media could claim this treatment causes super aids or some other bullshit and that will be enough to delay it for years.

Ahleron

Yet another thing Demented Donny got wrong. RFK Jr., his HHS guy, literally went swimming in sewage.

ZYHUA

American tests positive for hantavirus, another is symptomatic, HHS says

PoeOfPoe

seriously how did we go up like +500% briefly with the HHS recommendation letter to reschedule back in aug 2023, and now that it's finally happening we can't even sustain a +20% run. (im talking about LPs)

VuvuzelaSound

You have a number for that? Seems like a vastly majority of their tenants are quite fluid with cash based on their latest report. NIH and HHS grants surely have increased vacancies already but likely most of the damage has already been done.

SpongEWorTHiebOb

Nothing about the pressure many of their tenants are under. Many are biotech companies who have seen NIH and HHS funding and grants slashed. This company could see wide spread defaults in the next 12 to 24 months. A blue wave in November could help them but thats far from a certainty.

GeoLogic23

No I don't think rescheduling will increase the consumer base to any significant degree. The only way I see it doing that is if it were to open up distribution through pharmacies, or some other way to reach different consumers. But anything that would increase consumers I would think would be detrimental to the current setup of the Florida market (from MSO perspective). Or if S3 does cause large price compression, that could increase the consumer base. But again that would also hurt Trulieve's numbers. I cannot imagine the Florida consumer who: * Doesn't trust the Florida medical system and needs the Fed to give guidance * Is politically aware enough to understand this difference between fed/state cannabis laws and the rescheduling process * But also doesn't trust the HHS review for years until it's finally "official" and signed You'd need a ton of those people to exist to have S3 officially being signed increasing the consumer base.

jmu_alumni

How? Biden kicked off HHS to review rescheduling and they reccomended S3. There was ZERO action that indicated full legalization

donat3ll0

I don't mean to and that's fair to call out. But your OP is framing this as: - Democrats chose not to act - Republicans are choosing to act now - Therefore Republicans are more aligned with legalization or reform That is more about persuasian than accuracy. It is a formal process that runs through the DEA and HHS. The president can direct priorities, but it's not a flip of a switch. Biden's review in 2023 to HHS is one of the steps that make rescheduling possible. It mostly just sounds like you're making a case to give a pass to a fascist administration headed by an adjudicated rapist and alleged pedo. Just because he's doing something performative that you assume was super simple to accomplish before.

Lostndamaged

It’s a logical fallacy when you cite “other priorities” because it presupposes the two choices are mutually exclusive and there is no middle ground or grey area. They can move on as many or as little issues as they choose. The Biden administration reviewed federal marijuana drug policy in 2022 and the HHS recommended moving marijuana to schedule 1 in 2023, based on their own review. So yeah, Biden had every opportunity to do rescheduling, and he didn’t. I hate the orange man but a spade is a spade my friend. https://drugpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DPA-BidenReschedulingMarijuana_InDesign-Interactive.pdf Since you cite the last two years with a congressional minority as a sticking point for Biden, exactly how was congress involved in Trump’s rescheduling? I’m literally all ears because I’m pretty sure congress had zero say in it.

LandStander420

So hear me out Medical cannabis is legal The Federal Government determines what can be sold in Pharmacies through the DEA & HHS So CVS Texas, South Carolina, Indiana, basically ALL U.S states can now sell medical cannabis Am I technically correct?

enfuego138

You “can’t” do a lot of really dumb stuff. In reality, you can if you don’t care bout or understand the consequences. See: tariffs, attacking Iran, gutting basic research funding, COVID response, putting the brain worm guy in charge of HHS…

Tiaan

Cannabis the botanical plant is currently schedule 1. The proposed rule in progress will reschedule cannabis to 3 pending the outcome of the ALJ hearings. Cannabis does have an accepted medical use as defined by HHS when they recommended for it be moved to 3 a few years ago. It could very well still be illegal to buy or purchase it depending on state laws, sure, but that is separate from the scheduling of cannabis itself

jmu_alumni

It’s either 3 or it fails and stays at 1. I cannot imagine any other scenario. These hearings are built upon the process already founded, which HHS recommended 3…. Would be extremely hard for it to be anything other than their reccomendation (unless denied aka 1)

ConsciousScar7821

I haven’t been here as long as some, but I have been here long enough to know that when HHS first announced their recommendation to S3, the sector rallied for many months (with MSOS reaching a high of $11.26). It’s bizarre how stuck the sector is, despite federal reform continuing to move forward, and us being in such a beneficial position. The rec thing is annoying but most MSO’s will already see benefit, and rec is merely a short-term delay (just as Trump signing the EO (and it being implemented) was just a short-term delay.

meifx

LOL, No. The event today was actually to promote Regeneron's participation in TrumpRx. President Trump explicitly stated that it was HHS Secretary Oz and Commerce Sec. Lutnick who proposed the idea, but also said that he loved the idea.

ConLawHero

It's all bullshit. They have to resolve an interlocutory appeal. Then the stayed DEA hearing has to resolve, then they can reschedule, and then Smart Approaches to Marijuana, represented by former AG Bill Barr will immediately file a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. I think they actually have a good shot at winning it because the HHS medical recommendation is so full of holes because Biden clearly told them to just make the recommendation, science be damned. Point being, unless they intend on violating the Administrative Procedures Act and the Controlled Substances Act, it is a process that will take time, even still.

volckerwasright

The HHS letter was 2023!

J_Dabson002

It has to go through the Attorney General, HHS leads, and DEA leads who were all appointed by the executive branch. It’s a formality.

drbigtoe

The authority is vested in the Attorney General (via the DEA) under the Controlled Substances Act, with input from HHS. The DEA has the final rule following a review, which is what Joe Biden did as he was following the legal process. The president can not just wave his hand and reschedule marijuana.

UsedState7381

Seems like the standard going from S1 to S3, considering the HHS starting the rescheduling process of cannabis and it taking half a year for the DEA to say "yes" and then another half a year to decide to do those ALJ hearings(which is where we actually got slow-walked).

GeoLogic23

The HHS review initiated by Biden is the only reason we're discussion Schedule 3. That was real action that we can see the results. If he hadn't done that Trump would have had to make his executive order directed at HHS to start the 8 step review. Not for the AG to simply to sign off on the already completed review. Also Biden approved a bunch of new research growers after Trump didn't appoint a single one in his first 4 years. We just had one grower who grew ditch weed before Biden expanded the program. Biden could have done a lot more, but he's literally the only person to have made actual progress on cannabis in some way.

skyplt29

Nope...this guy has no concept of "praise in public, persecute in private". I have zero respect for this President. That being said, if the previous President had kept his promise of being one term and allowed the appropriate process of determining a new candidate I doubt we would be enduring this shit show.  S3 should have happened by 2024. Both parties, as well as HHS and DEA are both inefficient and ineffective. Soon? Slowalking...this is the most obstructive process I have ever witnessed.  Public call-out by this narcissistic President was the best thing to happen to the sector so far  this year.

jmu_alumni

Acually dude in green tie talks 41 minutes in. He clearly is from HHS being next to OZ and based on what he speaks about. I think Trump was just pointing to HHS when asking the question….which is not the people that are the issue. You even hear a faint ‘yes sir’ when he ask. But I see that as just an knowledgement. It is our of their hands. This is a bit of a nothingburger. But I do like that this is for sure on Trumps mind and he is pushing to get it done.

asetniop

It's not really something you can "learn" in a traditional sense. But if you eat enough crayons (the HHS has new guidelines for how many) you can directly absorb the retardium into your bloodstream.

asetniop

I'm worried I'm not getting enough raccoon penis in my diet. When is HHS going release the new guidelines?

GeoLogic23

Biden is the entire reason we're discussing Schedule 3?? What are you talking about? Biden is the single person to actually make real cannabis reforms. Trump did not direct the HHS to perform the required 8 step review. Biden did that (insert sticker meme). This was actual action that we have seen the results that were produced. Of course he could've broken protocol and forced it through the DEA himself, but he didn't do that for anything, let alone for cannabis. We don't want the President picking and choosing what drugs are legal, unless you want a recreational horse dewormer market. Biden also approved new federal growers. Obama changed the rule right at the end of his term to allow more, but Trump didn't approve a single one. We used to have one single company approved to grow research cannabis, and they didn't even grow what is typically in the market. Now we have a bunch thanks to Biden. Also pardons. Signing the research bill. Remaining hands off on the industry (unlike Sessions/Barr).

asetniop

It's like he got RFK's HHS to whip up some kind of super-serum that gave him dozens of extra chromosomes.

volckerwasright

The Biden admin initiated the rescheduling process. Come July, we’ll have hit the point in time where the Trump admin has held up the process for longer than Biden’s since the Aug 2023 HHS letter.

SpecificImpossible45

WTAF. The Medicare CBD program was announced Dec 18th, and launched less than four months later. Meanwhile rescheduling has been in the works for years now. The HHS recommendation to S3 was 954 days ago [Both the White House and the DOJ tell me they're working on this but have offered no timeline. A DOJ spokesperson said this morning the department "is working to implement the President’s executive order on rescheduling, and that work will continue." @RogerJStoneJr: Who is holding up President Trump's order to reschedule marijuana?] https://x.com/kaelandc/status/2042246866838925638?s=46&t=Ovar60Fpj3Nft-zzZ-9i5Q

Boxofmagnets

They might still be in hiding over the HHS funding. But it doesn’t matter if they’re back in DC

UsedState7381

https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/viewEO12866Meeting?viewRule=true&rin=0910-ZC82&meetingId=1349923&acronym=0910-HHS/FDA https://x.com/i/status/2039688288118726863 CAN ANYONE OPEN THIS LINK AND VERIFY THIS? IT'S NOT WORKING HERE ITS PRETTY FUCKING GOOD NEWS FOR US IF THE AGENCY IS GIVING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS

Wide_Gur_9963

A quick AI answer  An interim Attorney General (AG) of the DOJ can sign off on a final ruling regarding reclassification of drugs, but it's essential to note that the authority and scope of an interim AG may be limited compared to a confirmed AG. Typically, the Attorney General is responsible for making decisions on drug reclassification, which involves evaluating recommendations from the DEA and HHS. The process includes a public comment period, a hearing, and a final ruling. While there's no explicit restriction on an interim AG's authority to sign off on such rulings, it's crucial to consider the specific circumstances and the interim AG's delegated authority ¹.

skyplt29

I am seeing more like 4 years to date...ever since Biden asked to expedite and HHS made its recommendations.

Own_Fold_5212

I remember how elated I was when Zorn got the HHS report released, and going through it felt like validation it was happening 🥲 And then I was surprised that one of the few things the GOP publicly disputed with Trump the was rescheduling. What a thing to side against 😂 I think it will happen; but who knows that the timeline will be for the real benefit to materialize (removal of 280E). I love GTI, but man…fundamentals and other realities (competitors restructuring) just won’t show up in stock prices without reform.

1_FCKTRD

On October 6, 2022, President Joe Biden requested an administrative review to fast-track the reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to a lower schedule. On August 30, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) a 252-page recommendation to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). On April 30, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced its intent to begin the formal rulemaking process to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug. On August 11, 2025, President Trump told reporters that his administration was "looking at that very strongly" with regard to the reclassification of marijuana. He added that a determination would likely be made within a few weeks. On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Attorney General to "expedite" the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. On this date, you can fill in the blank.

UsedState7381

All things considered I think I'm insanely lucky for only investing in MSOS after the letter from the HHS...Still didn't helped me at all but at least my portfolio isn't down like 90%

SuzyCreamcheezies

The Cannabist was pumped hard by this sub after the initial HHS recommendation. Sorry to those invested.

KAI5ER

I remember a hearing where Gatez asked the head of the DEA if they could work in tandem with the HHS on rescheduling. She bluntly said no. Nothing was started till AFTER the DOJ got the official EO from he white house. Everything they do is in 30 day windows.

Aggravating_Law_1335

doesnt matter HHS has proven cannabis has medical benefits and what some brainwashed journalist wrote is irrelevant 

boravuth

The Antelope @__OuttaControl_ Not spiking the football (and obv neither is the market) but two items dropped today that, read together, are worth noting for anyone tracking cannabis rescheduling. First: The Medicare CBD pilot launching April 1 will allow full-spectrum products, meaning trace THC is included. The government could have narrowed this to CBD isolate. They didn't. That's a quiet but meaningful acknowledgment of the entourage effect - that the combination of cannabinoids produces better clinical outcomes than CBD alone. You don't design a Medicare pilot around full-spectrum products without believing the THC interaction matters therapeutically. And before anyone says 'the hemp industry just lobbied for this' - Charlotte's Web would have taken isolate coverage and celebrated. The full-spectrum spec is a clinical design choice, not a lobbying win. Second: Rep. Reschenthaler (R-PA) introduced H.R.7987 today, creating a safe harbor for national securities exchanges to list cannabis companies and prohibiting federal adverse action against businesses that serve cannabis operators. Here's the dot-connect: Schedule I is defined as 'no currently accepted medical use.' The federal government is now covering full-spectrum cannabinoid products (including THC) for seniors through a physician-recommended Medicare pilot. You cannot hold both of those positions simultaneously forever. HHS already formally concluded in 2023 that cannabis has accepted medical use. The EO directed the AG to expedite rescheduling. The pilot is now building the real-world evidence record that makes DEA resistance increasingly indefensible. The rescheduling isn't done. 280E relief isn't here yet. But consider what today actually represents: on the same day a federal health agency quietly acknowledged that THC has therapeutic value by designing a Medicare pilot around it, a Republican congressman introduced legislation to let cannabis companies list on national exchanges. One is the scientific predicate. The other is the capital markets infrastructure. You don't build the second without the first eventually following. Cautious optimism is the right posture. But the architecture is taking shape 7:32 AM · Mar 19, 2026 · 15.2K Views

boravuth

The Antelope @__OuttaControl_ Not spiking the football (and obv neither is the market) but two items dropped today that, read together, are worth noting for anyone tracking cannabis rescheduling. First: The Medicare CBD pilot launching April 1 will allow full-spectrum products, meaning trace THC is included. The government could have narrowed this to CBD isolate. They didn't. That's a quiet but meaningful acknowledgment of the entourage effect - that the combination of cannabinoids produces better clinical outcomes than CBD alone. You don't design a Medicare pilot around full-spectrum products without believing the THC interaction matters therapeutically. And before anyone says 'the hemp industry just lobbied for this' - Charlotte's Web would have taken isolate coverage and celebrated. The full-spectrum spec is a clinical design choice, not a lobbying win. Second: Rep. Reschenthaler (R-PA) introduced H.R.7987 today, creating a safe harbor for national securities exchanges to list cannabis companies and prohibiting federal adverse action against businesses that serve cannabis operators. Here's the dot-connect: Schedule I is defined as 'no currently accepted medical use.' The federal government is now covering full-spectrum cannabinoid products (including THC) for seniors through a physician-recommended Medicare pilot. You cannot hold both of those positions simultaneously forever. HHS already formally concluded in 2023 that cannabis has accepted medical use. The EO directed the AG to expedite rescheduling. The pilot is now building the real-world evidence record that makes DEA resistance increasingly indefensible. The rescheduling isn't done. 280E relief isn't here yet. But consider what today actually represents: on the same day a federal health agency quietly acknowledged that THC has therapeutic value by designing a Medicare pilot around it, a Republican congressman introduced legislation to let cannabis companies list on national exchanges. One is the scientific predicate. The other is the capital markets infrastructure. You don't build the second without the first eventually following. Cautious optimism is the right posture. But the architecture is taking shape 7:32 AM · Mar 19, 2026 · 15.2K Views

PositionJournal

I've written a little bit on Reddit on Doximity but I'm afraid to share here because WSB is strict with the rules. So you can check it out on my profile Tldr: network effects, high switching costs, regulatory moat (HIPAA compliant infra, FDA/HHS regulated) and first party data (85% of US physicians use/read the platform) makes it a stand out bet for me. Like Intuit who has the regulatory moat of tax compliance but for healthcare. Also founder led

manualCAD

Nothing in Washington gets done without someone powerful wanting it. Pretending like the "will of the people" ever mattered, for anything, is silly. "But...but..but...states rights...and... that one EO that one time....and...expeditiously....and...directed the HHS to blah blah...but the state voted...but but .." JUST STOP. None of these politicians (or presidents) ever actually wanted cannabis reform. It will happen when someone who is actually powerful enough, and who actually wants to do it, gets into their position. Until then....nothing ever happens.

AverageNo130

Aug '23 HHS approved cannabis S3. How many years waiting for SAFE banking?

GeoLogic23

Trump's EO was directed at the Attorney General to move cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. It was not directed at the HHS to perform their own scientific review. They have to be using Biden's science for Trump to be directing the Attorney General to move it to Schedule 3. One thing I can say with absolute confidence is that it's not the science that Trump is waiting on. We also even have one recent example of them specifically ignoring the science for drug scheduling with fentanyl. They were wanting to put fentanyl on Schedule 1 for political reasons, but it is very widely used in medicine so it's an obvious Schedule 2. They had to bifurcate it to put "illegal" fentanyl on Schedule 1 while keeping "medical" fentanyl as Schedule 2.

HooliganBeav

We put a coke fiend in charge of HHS and he's done nothing to address this?!

GeoLogic23

To be fair, the Biden EO was to start the process, which then had to go through the whole HHS review before actually getting to the DEA. There was actual work that was done that we can see, and that's the whole reason we're even talking about Schedule 3. The DEA sat with it for a couple years now after that was finished. Trump's EO was literally just like "sign the thing". There isn't even any action that "should" be needed besides finalizing it, if the DEA had cared to do anything at all over the last 2 years.

neo-futurism

Another rando elected to HHS, and u think market will not care?

AverageNo130

The Trump administration is “very anxious” to create a pathway for access to psychedelics therapy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says, and top officials across federal agencies want to “get it out to the public as quickly as possible.” In an interview on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast that was released on Friday. MM

denzl480

the supply chain risk only applies to military actions and contractors. If you are doing medical research in HHS, and a vendor users Anthropic services, they are not at risk.

TheDeaf001

Holy shit. I didn’t believe you until I did the google search. But the weird thing is that the HHS.gov site on Google has a snippet about it but as soon you log on… it’s empty.

Comfortable_Goal9110

I can do it too just ask why NOT and it will shit you out the inverse. I also got emojis so it's solid DD Based on recent developments and financial data, investing in Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) presents significant risks. While the company has experienced impressive growth, it is currently facing a severe regulatory and legal storm that threatens its core business model. Here are the primary reasons why buying HIMS shares could be a bad idea right now. 🚨 The Core Problem: A Regulatory and Legal Meltdown The single biggest threat to HIMS is the collapse of its weight-loss business. The company's recent growth was largely fueled by selling compounded versions of popular GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide . This "gold rush" has come to a screeching halt. · End of a Loophole: The FDA removed semaglutide from the national shortage list, effectively ending the legal protection that allowed HIMS to sell these profitable compounded versions . The company has already had to pull its compounded semaglutide pill from the market . · DOJ Investigation: The situation escalated quickly in February 2026 when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) referred Hims & Hers to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a potential investigation into federal law violations . · Patent Lawsuit: Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has filed a patent infringement and "deceptive marketing" lawsuit against the company, posing a major financial threat . 📉 Financial Fallout and Deteriorating Outlook The regulatory issues are already hitting the company's finances and future prospects. · Shockingly Slowing Growth: The company's growth is decelerating at an alarming rate. Revenue growth is projected to fall from a staggering 111% year-over-year in early 2025 to just 26% in the fourth quarter . This suggests the GLP-1 fueled party is over. · Earnings Are Dropping: Analysts expect earnings per share to decline significantly. For the upcoming report, EPS is estimated to be $0.02, a staggering drop of 81.8% from the previous year . Estimates have also been revised downward recently . · High Expectations vs. Reality: The stock is expected to be extremely volatile, with options traders pricing in a potential 13% swing after earnings—much higher than usual . This reflects deep uncertainty about the company's future.

Late-Tadpole-2318

I was not mentally prepared to see that HHS RFK Kid Rock video

skyplt29

I just read a rather startling article about how the (US government) administration was telling outright lies to cover up its ICE activities in Minnesota despite obvious evidence (mostly phone videos taken by other protestors) to the contrary. Only now are some being held accountable for their actions...but not the people in real power. They are suddenly not in front of the cameras spouting off "brandishing a weapon" hearsay. Now we have Trump saying somebody else posted the Lion King bigotry on his Truth Social feed. I guess the buck does not stop at his desk. I could not help but draw a comparison to what is happening with this industry. For me, the facts are so compelling with regard to cannabis having significant medical applications...yet there it sits with heroin as S1. We even have an Executive Order (questionable how valuable these things actually are) suggesting S3 should happen expeditiously. Biden instructed HHS to do pretty much the same thing in 2021 in WRT taking the necessary steps. Yet (at least right now) there appears to be little appetite by the DOJ to get this done. I really was not expecting end January...but the radio silence on this seems odd. Not even an update after close to two months since the President signed his EO. Sadly, I watched a lot of Bondi's testimony last week; she strikes me as neither capable or sincere. Even during that bizarre scene where she was talking about the Dow going above 50,000 she was unable to state 50,000 what (dollars, thingies, widgets...points). I don't think I have ever heard the head of a DOJ mention stock markets in a testimony like that. Never in my life did I see a DOJ suggesting stock market performance was somehow of any interest to the DOJ. Now it has come out the DOJ is monitoring what political leaders are looking into when they access the unredacted Epstein files. That is some serious Orwellian shit right there. This is not about the Epstein files, or so much about ICE, or Pam Bondi and the DOJ monitoring the actions of elected members of Congress. But the similarities to our situation are disconcerting. Despite facts supporting a move from S1 to S3 (that's not legalization, just recognizing medical aspects) and two Presidents asking the administration to move S3 along...we continue to get quiet pushback (I am not a conspiracy theorist, but 'deep state' seems to fit here). It's now mid Feb and not even a progress report on the status of S1 to S3? That strikes me as just more manipulation by an entity that really does not want to see this happen. Sheesh, it really would be nice to get some insight as to what the status of this is.

Blackhole_sun81

 Besides snorting cocaine from a toilet seat, are there any other requirements for being HHS secretary?      Stay away from MRNA while that dude is around… Puts

Pecncorn1

Well RFK just let us know he used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats. If that doesn't qualify him to head HHS the bar must be pretty high....

Separate_Fold5168

Plot twist: it's the HHS secretary

vlad7208

FDA : We agree to your trial design. Moderna Spends 100M and two years FDA Actually, we changed our mind and won't even open the envelope. Imagine being a biotech CEO trying to forecast revenue when the regulator acts like a moody girlfriend, MRNA down,7 because the best available standard of care changed mid-game. This is basically a coin flip for earnings on Friday. If you're long youre betting on Bancel's ability to sweet-talk a hostile HHS. Godspee, did you magnificent bagholders

plannedgravy

I don’t know about the HHS, but the FDA is definitely not as strict as last admin.

CriticalBlackberry90

I don't think so, I think HHS and FDA are quite strict under RFK Jr these days

SuperHeavyHydrogen

Puts two podcasters in charge of the FBI, one of them doesn’t like it and goes back to podcasting. “Former” heroin addict who hoards rotten roadkill in charge of HHS Can’t make it up istg

UsedState7381

Executive Order is signed already, also RFK was literally there at the office thanking Trump for rescheduling cannabis. The HHS ranks leagues above the ONDCP in these matters, and in the end it's still the DOJ and DEA call. That's not happening. Also, >That’s why we reiterate our call that the director of ONDCP should be elevated to the Cabinet-level status the position once enjoyed: our drug crisis demands nothing less.  That's on the same weblink posted here. All of this is beyond her power.

shortyman920

Powell was also handpicked by Trump and he kept Fed’s independence in tact. I’m simply pointing that this isn’t like his HHS or DOE appointments which were left field candidates that weren’t qualified to be the head of those departments. Warsh at least has a long relevant resume which includes serving on the fed and having been mentored by previous fed chairs who had integrity. He’s qualified and understands economics and the role of fed. So this invites at least some leeway to see how he’ll operate. I understand you’re unhappy with Trump, and I am as well. But let’s not completely close our eyes to possible hope. I’ll remain healthily skeptical, but this isn’t a bad pick on paper like rfk jr for the hhs

King_Chron

its hard to speculate on why they did these things.......frame looks less as a political play and more as a timing/optics issue: the DEA may have simply expected the process to get less attention with a new president-elect in office. The HHS recommendation came about a year before the election, and then the ALJ retired, which naturally paused the formal process without implying any improper motive. ([cannabisbusinesstimes.com](https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/cannabis-rescheduling/news/15751360/dea-judge-overseeing-cannabis-rescheduling-hearing-set-to-retire?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

greenbelieve

Robert F Kennedy Jr. he’s in charge of the HHS

King_Chron

the ALJ paused the hearings in Jan 2025 pending an interlocutory appeal and then retired mid‑2025; no new ALJ has been publicly assigned, so the formal hearing phase remains stalled. ([cannabisbusinesstimes.com](https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/cannabis-rescheduling/news/15751360/dea-judge-overseeing-cannabis-rescheduling-hearing-set-to-retire?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) That said, the December 18, 2025 Executive Order doesn’t nullify administrative process — it directs DOJ/HHS/DEA to finish the rulemaking “in the most expeditious manner permitted by law,” which means agencies can’t use the lack of an ALJ or other procedural pauses as an excuse to stall indefinitely. --------That phrasing does two things: (a) it makes completing the rulemaking an express White House priority, and (b) it reduces the cover agencies previously used to justify indefinite delays -------because further delay becomes an arguable failure to follow the President’s directive and can invite judicial/congressional enforcement. This gets into APA (Administrative Procedure Act)lawsuits ......([presidency.ucsb.edu](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/white-house-fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-increasing-medical-marijuana-and?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) So yes, the administrative‑law mechanics still matter, but they’re now largely a timing issue rather than a blocker of the ultimate outcome. ([blankrome.com](https://www.blankrome.com/publications/hold-your-horses-cannabis-rescheduling-hearings-stayed-pending-appeal?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

King_Chron

They can still follow the law — hold hearings, accept comments, and build the administrative record — but they can’t slow-walk it anymore. Ignoring HHS, restarting the science, inventing new hurdles, or delaying indefinitely would be non-compliance and open them up to APA lawsuits, court-imposed deadlines, congressional scrutiny, and leadership consequences. At this point, any delay affects timing, not outcome. Schedule III is a when, not an if.

King_Chron

I don’t dispute that the DEA previously used procedure to delay.....the record supports that....... That’s exactly why the EO matters. It explicitly directs DOJ, HHS, and DEA to complete Schedule III rulemaking expeditiously and in coordination, which removes their ability to hide behind internal process indefinitely. They can still follow the law, but they can’t slow-walk it anymore. At this point, delay affects timing, not outcome. Schedule III is a when, not an if.

King_Chron

Ah yes, DEA smash things fast, drag feet slow....... very great analysis. Meanwhile, real Schedule 3 rescheduling involves careful HHS review, decades of abuse potential studies, medical use evidence, and federal regulatory checks......not grunts or swings of a club. But sure, your one-sentence caveman wisdom totally explains bureaucracy!

King_Chron

Right, because clearly Milgram’s oral diplomacy is the real bottleneck in DEA Schedule 3 cannabis policy.........Meanwhile, the DEA and HHS are still doing the boring stuff...... analyzing pharmacology, abuse risk, and medical use....

King_Chron

The idea that agencies would ignore rescheduling is off-base. The process stalled under the last administration not because the DEA or HHS refused to act, but because of procedural hurdles and an administrative appeal. In early 2025, a hearing to evaluate reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III was paused due to an interlocutory appeal, and later the DEA’s chief Administrative Law Judge retired, leaving the case without a judge to preside. These delays are procedural, not a refusal to comply with the law. What’s different now is the executive order from Trump, which explicitly directs the DOJ, HHS, and DEA to complete the Schedule III rulemaking in the most expeditious manner in accordance with federal law. This restarts and accelerates the stalled process, and agencies cannot legally refuse to follow it. For U.S.-domiciled MSOs, the Schedule III catalyst remains very real.

King_Chron

Honestly, that sounds more like a conspiracy than reality. The HHS and DEA follow the law and the process set by the president and Congress. Schedule III rescheduling isn’t arbitrary — it goes through a formal statutory review. There’s no evidence that agencies refuse to comply; historically, these processes are slow but ultimately legal mandates are followed. For investors, the key takeaway is that if Schedule III is finalized, the structural upside for U.S.-domiciled MSOs is real. 280E taxes drop, cash flow jumps, and institutional investors can finally enter. Betting on regulatory non-compliance is much riskier than betting on the law actually being implemented.

IllCamel5907

Does that somehow invalidate Bidens order to the HHS to review and reschedule marijuana?? You know, the process that's been going on for over 2 years now? Are you interested in discussing or learning about the subject or will you you just reply with another "but he's dumb" comment? Like him or not, this whole process started because of his administration. It's great that Trump is supporting the move, and I don't fucking care WHO gets the credit for it at this point. People like you just don't understand how foolish they look with this hyper partisan nonsense.

el-art-seam

$2 billion investment from HHS next week please

SpecificImpossible45

Shane Pennington stated he expects the final rule to be published sometime this February. He also mentioned, “If we get to February 15th and we haven't heard anything, that will make me happy because that means they're working on a final rule that's very thorough, which is what I hope they're doing, and I hope they have been doing. It will also mean that they're very likely not about to do something crazy like send this into another round of notice and comment”. Shane is the admin law expert and has been actively involved in this rescheduling process. He’s been pretty conservative and hesitant to comment on timelines or expectations in the past so personally I give more weight to his February comment. I’m sure it helps in some capacity having his partner in crime Matt Zorn, who is currently serving as Deputy General Counsels at HHS and referred to as the “Psychedelics Czar”, being so close to the process

Cazoon

Carson was HUD not HHS. I remember his tenure being rather unremarkable.

TraditionPrimary6781

To the question: "Is FDA corrupt?" Google AI gives me the following output: \----------------------------------- Allegations of "corruption" within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) typically center on structural issues such as financial dependency on the industry and "regulatory capture" rather than direct bribery.  * **Financial Dependency (User Fees):** Nearly half of the FDA's total budget ($3.3 billion of $7.2 billion in 2024) is funded by "user fees" paid by the pharmaceutical and medical device companies it regulates. Critics argue this makes the agency beholden to these companies, prioritizing faster drug approvals over rigorous safety testing. * **"Revolving Door" Ties:** A significant number of former FDA commissioners and high-level officials go on to hold lucrative positions within the pharmaceutical industry after their tenure. This creates potential incentives for officials to make industry-friendly decisions while in government. * **Regulatory Capture:** Public health advocates, including Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (as of late 2025/early 2026), have frequently labeled the FDA as "captured" by the industry. Critics cite instances where the agency ignored warnings from its own scientists regarding drug risks, such as with Vioxx, which was later linked to tens of thousands of deaths. * **Lack of Long-term Oversight:** For food additives, the FDA has been criticized for relying on short-term industry-funded studies and allowing substances to be labeled "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) without mandatory notification to the agency.  The FDA and its supporters maintain that the agency operates with high integrity. They state that user fees are strictly monitored to ensure they do not influence individual product decisions and that the agency's primary mission remains the protection of public health through science-based evaluation.

KAI5ER

Ran this video plus the interview with Shane Pennington through some LLMs. **Looks like we have Two Paths Forward** To reach Schedule III, the Attorney General (AG) must choose between two procedural paths. **Path A: The Standard Administrative Path (Slow)** If the AG follows standard procedure to minimize appeal risks, the timeline drags out significantly. 1. **Resolve Appeal:** The DEA Administrator must rule on the pending interlocutory appeal (Timeline: 1–12 months). 2. **Appoint Judges:** The DEA must hire or borrow ALJs to preside over the case (Timeline: Months). 3. **Evidentiary Hearing:** A formal hearing on the merits is held (Timeline: Months). 4. **ALJ Report:** The judge issues a recommended decision (30–90 days). 5. **Final Rule:** The AG reviews the record and publishes the rule. • **Estimated Arrival:** Late 2026, 2027, or drifting into 2028. **Path B: The "Accelerated" Path (Expeditious)** This is the path implied by the Executive Order and expected by industry insiders to meet a near-term deadline. 1. **Bypass Hearing:** The AG could withdraw the hearing order or utilize the "Treaty Exception" (21 U.S.C. 811(d)), citing the 43,000+ comments and HHS scientific findings as a sufficient record. 2. **Issue Final Order:** The AG signs the Final Rule immediately, mooting the pending appeal. • **Estimated Arrival:** **February 2026**.

Full_Boysenberry_198

I nominate you for HHS

JayRoo83

Yeah I checked and the military, HHS and homeland security is fucked without further funding so I'm still sticking with my puts scalp idea

asetniop

I was always taught that it's dangerous to mix FIRE with gasoline. But maybe the HHS has issued some new guidanceabout that, like it cancels out bluetooth waves or someting.

sck178

Sounds about right. HHS probably stopped counting life loss due to RFK Jr's brain worm policies and announcements

hambone_83

Here is the link where all the fuss is about on this link: [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00362/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-n-pyrrolidino-metonitazene-and-n-pyrrolidino](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00362/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-n-pyrrolidino-metonitazene-and-n-pyrrolidino) >On April 11, 2024, the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) issued an opinion, which, among other things, concluded that HHS's two-part test would be sufficient to establish that a drug has a currently accepted medical use. Office of Legal Counsel, Memorandum for Merrick B. Garland Attorney General Re: Questions Related to the Potential Rescheduling of Marijuana at 3 (April 11, 2024). The poster of this is claiming this statement reduces risk of the 2 part HHS review being invalid (Since DOJ legal counsel issued an opinion they think its fine) To note, this person is the one that pushed the "gamma" squeeze with all the MSOS call options expiring friday. So he really is pushing lots blue sky narratives. But does seem overall positive that DOJ is on board with two-part test when SAM was saying it's not good enough

Mr_Snow___

>On April 11, 2024, the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) issued an opinion, which, among other things, concluded that HHS’s two-part test would be sufficient to establish that a drug has a currently accepted medical use. Office of Legal Counsel, Memorandum for Merrick B. Garland Attorney General Re: Questions Related to the Potential Rescheduling of marijuana at 3 (April 11, 2024). For purposes of this scheduling order, there is no evidence that health care providers have widespread experience with medical use of N-pyrrolidino metonitazene and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene or that the use of N-pyrrolidino metonitazene and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene are recognized by entities that regulate the practice of medicine, so the two-part test also is not satisfied. [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-12/pdf/2026-00362.pdf](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-12/pdf/2026-00362.pdf)

penniesandquarters

One of the last adults and real professionals in charge. From the DHS, to the FBI, to the SecDef, to the CIA, to the HHS, to the VP, and the Commander in Chief. They are headed by incompetent people. By looneys who believe conspiracies and peddle misinformation. Anyone with a grain of IQ can see this.

SuzyCreamcheezies

Agree with this sentiment. Still risky, but there are certainly safer companies to dabble in. I remember there was a huge pump on Cannabist during the initial HHS news… yikes. Which are the least bad, in your opinion? Green Thumb is the obvious top choice, I assume?

waerrington

Coke switched from corn syrup back to sugar thanks to new HHS guidelines. 

Old-Outside6894

I’m not sure we get S3 in January. I have evaluated everything I can find, ran through multiple AI’s and think Jan is a pipe dream like all the “close” dates after HHS report dropped. Market knows. I think this is q1-2, but not January.

hambone_83

https://vicentellp.com/insights/cannabis-rescheduling-explained/ The DOJ could immediately issue a Final Order rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III under 21 U.S.C. § 811(d). To do so, the Attorney General would rely on an Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion concluding that the United States can satisfy its international treaty obligations by placing marijuana in Schedule III, provided that rescheduling is accompanied by specific regulatory controls (e.g., production quotas and import/export permitting). Unlike Epidiolex, botanical marijuana is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”); however, Section 811(d) affords the Attorney General broad discretion to select the schedule deemed most appropriate to meet treaty obligations, independent of FDA approval status. By citing the need to comply with international treaties while acknowledging the scientific findings of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), the DOJ could issue a Final Order rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III without completing the administrative hearing process.

AverageNo130

DOJ has been sitting on S3 since HHS approved it Aug '23. So end of Jan is a reasonable deadline after 2.5 yrs of DOJ BS imo.

Many_Easy

I’m not disagreeing with you, but just the fact that we got HHS recommendation and an S3 EO despite not being finalized does show some progress and is positive news. Yes, still work to be done.

mr_molecular

Here is how this could play out. The "Expeditious" Path: Strategy and Timeline The administration's most likely path involves the Attorney General exercising her authority to bypass the DEA's stalled administrative hearings. Phase 1: Bypassing the Hearing (December 2025 – January 2026) • Action: The Attorney General (AG) can conclude that the administrative record—which already contains over 42,000 public comments and a comprehensive scientific review from the HHS—is sufficient to make a final determination. • Legal Basis: The AG may argue that a formal hearing is "unnecessary" or that the public interest in medical access outweighs the need for further oral testimony, especially since a federal judge already suspended the previous hearings in early 2025. • The "International Treaty" Shortcut: Legal experts suggest the AG could cite 21 U.S.C. § 811(d)(1), which allows for expedited scheduling to comply with international treaty obligations, bypassing the standard hearing requirements.  Phase 2: Drafting and OMB Review (January 2026 – February 2026) • Drafting the Final Rule: The DOJ and DEA would draft the "Final Rule." This document must address the major concerns raised in public comments to be legally "defensible" against future lawsuits.  • OMB Review: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must review the economic impact. Under the Executive Order, this review would likely be fast-tracked to a matter of weeks rather than months. Phase 3: Publication and Effective Date (March 2026 – April 2026) • Publication: The Final Rule is published in the Federal Register.  • Cooling-off Period: Usually, a rule takes effect 30 to 60 days after publication.  • Final Result: By April 2026, marijuana would officially be Schedule 3.