Why Everyone is Pushing the DEA to Livestream the Historic Marijuana Rescheduling Hearings

The Historic Turning Point for Cannabis

Imagine if a decision that could change the landscape of federal law for millions of Americans was happening behind closed doors, accessible only to a lucky few who could travel to a specific room in Virginia.

That is exactly what is happening right now with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Starting June 29, 2026, the DEA is holding historic hearings to discuss moving marijuana from Schedule I (the strictest category of drugs) to Schedule III.

However, the DEA has refused to livestream the event, opting instead to release a written transcript weeks after it concludes. Now, a powerful coalition is pushing back.

What is Actually Happening Right Now?

A growing chorus of politicians, major media outlets, and patient advocates are demanding that the DEA turn on the cameras and let the American public watch the proceedings in real time.

Here is why people are upset:

• Delayed Transparency: Releasing a transcript weeks after the hearings end makes it impossible for the public to follow the arguments as they happen.
• Accessibility Issues: Medical cannabis advocates point out that the patients whose lives are most impacted by these laws are often disabled, financially constrained, or immunocompromised. Traveling to Arlington, Virginia, and waiting in line for a highly limited seat is practically impossible for them.
• A Step Backward: In late 2024, the DEA livestreamed a similar effort in the name of public transparency. Critics, including Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) and journalists from The New York Times, Law360, and Marijuana Moment, are asking why this monumental hearing should be treated any differently.

Why Does Rescheduling Matter So Much?

For decades, the federal government has classified marijuana as a Schedule I substance—putting it in the same legal category as heroin, implying it has zero medical value and a high potential for abuse.

Moving cannabis to Schedule III acknowledges that it has recognized medical benefits. In fact, a doctor on the DEA's own witness list is scheduled to testify about how medical marijuana provides genuine relief to pain patients. While it doesn't fully federally legalize recreational weed, it drastically changes how the government handles the plant.

What is Hoped for the Future?

If the broader push to reclassify cannabis to Schedule III is successful, the ripple effects will be massive. We are already seeing glimpses of what the future could look like:

• Massive Tax Relief for Businesses: Currently, a strict IRS rule (known as 280E) blocks state-legal marijuana businesses from claiming standard federal tax deductions. Rescheduling to Schedule III would eliminate this burden, potentially saving the industry billions and allowing small businesses to thrive.
• Stronger Patient Protections: Certified medical marijuana patients could possess their medicine with federal protections, no longer fearing clashes between state laws and federal agents.
• Updated Gun Rights: The federal government (specifically the ATF) is already drafting updates to gun purchase forms. The new forms would clarify that only recreational marijuana use prohibits someone from buying a firearm, protecting the Second Amendment rights of medical patients.

• More Scientific Research: A Schedule III classification breaks down the regulatory red tape that has historically made it incredibly difficult for scientists to study cannabis.

The Bottom Line

Whether the DEA decides to turn on the cameras or not, these hearings are going to shape the next decade of cannabis policy. Advocates, businesses, and patients are watching closely, hoping this marks the beginning of a more logical, medically-focused approach to marijuana at the federal level.

Reference Link: Read the original reporting on this story at Marijuana Moment: Congressman And Other Media Outlets Join Marijuana Moment’s Push For DEA To Livestream Rescheduling Hearing