Monday, August 17, 2026 marked the final deadline for Schedule III brief submissions in the federal rescheduling process. This follows a multi-year journey that began with the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2024, which opened a 60-day public comment period (ending July 22, 2024). Most recently, the process moved into a formal hearing stage, with the latest round of legal briefs and expert testimony culminating in this week’s final submission deadline.

Yesterday, D.C. hit another supposed milestone in the cannabis rescheduling debate. The deadline passed for briefs on the federal effort to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. But for those living this every day, it’s hard to feel like much has changed. With midterm elections around the corner, cannabis reform is once again on the national stage.

Cannabis Reform in the Election Spotlight

States like Massachusetts and Idaho are facing important ballot questions, while candidates in Kansas and Iowa are making cannabis a central campaign issue. Even if it’s not the top priority for every voter, polling shows that cannabis reform is popular with both Democrats and Republicans, even as overall support has slipped slightly in recent years.

What Does Cannabis Rescheduling Actually Do?

Moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, what the federal government is considering, sounds major, but it’s more of a technical fix than a true solution. If this happens:

• Cannabis businesses could finally deduct standard expenses (fixing the IRS 280E problem), making it easier for legal operators to survive.
• Research restrictions might loosen, possibly opening the door for more FDA-approved therapies.

But here’s the reality: rescheduling does not actually legalize cannabis federally.

• Cannabis would still be illegal under federal law.
• Criminal penalties, banking hurdles, and regulatory headaches would mostly remain.
• The patchwork of state-by-state laws and uncertainty for patients, small businesses, and communities would continue.

That’s why we believe in full descheduling, removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act completely. Only then can we end prohibition, clear records, and create a fair, stable industry for everyone.

What’s Really On the Table in 2026? (Ballots & Elections)

This year shows why half-measures aren’t enough, state reforms remain fragile and unpredictable:

• Massachusetts: Voters will decide whether to repeal recreational cannabis legalization while keeping the medical program. If passed, this would make Massachusetts the first state to reverse its own legalization law.
• Idaho: No medical cannabis initiative made the ballot. Instead, voters will consider a constitutional amendment (HJR 4) that would block citizen-led ballot measures on marijuana, giving all future reform power to state lawmakers.
• Kansas: Cannabis isn’t up for a direct vote, but it’s a major campaign issue in the governor’s race. Some candidates support legalization, even full descheduling, while others oppose any change. The state’s future hinges on the election outcome and the legislature’s stance.
• Iowa: Similarly, there’s no cannabis question on the ballot, but the governor’s race is clearly divided. One candidate supports legalizing and regulating adult-use cannabis; the other is firmly against it. Whoever wins will likely decide the direction of Iowa’s cannabis policy.

Why Full Descheduling Is the Only Real Solution

These examples show just how unstable and inconsistent cannabis policy remains across the country.
If recreational legalization can be repealed in Massachusetts, or citizen-driven reform blocked in Idaho, then no state-level progress is truly safe. Rescheduling alone can’t fix this. Only full descheduling can create lasting, nationwide reform that protects progress and ensures justice for everyone.

The Path Forward

Just because a deadline passed in D.C. doesn’t mean your voice doesn’t matter. The process continues, in court, in Congress, and in your own community. Whether you support rescheduling, full legalization, or something different, now is the time to stay engaged.

• Contact your lawmakers: SAFE Banking is just a start. Tell them we need real change: full descheduling.
• Watch for comment periods: If the chance opens up, speak up.
• Stay engaged: Remind Congress this isn’t just about headlines, it’s about real lives and real policy.

At the end of the day, rescheduling alone looks more like political theater than true reform, especially in an election year. Only full descheduling offers real and lasting change. We’re not here for temporary fixes or election-year headlines, we want real change, and we know you do too. 

Stay tuned for updates, and keep making your voice count.