It has now been over 15 years since I participated in “Overgrow the Government,” a movement designed to call to attention the unfair and illogical decision to make cannabis illegal. Today, the herb was moved to Schedule III, down from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act by the Justice Department.

How the change will play out across the country is something that can only be seen to be understood. Hearings about implementation are set to begin June 29, 2026.

The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) contend that the June hearing will provide a timely and legally compliant process to transition cannabis to its new status within the United States compliant with the President’s December 18, 2025, Executive Order on Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research.