American Council of Cannabis Medicine Welcomes Cannabis Rescheduling to Schedule III
ACCM Applauds Federal Cannabis Rescheduling
On April 23, 2026, the American Council of Cannabis Medicine (ACCM) celebrated a significant change in federal cannabis policy as the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that certain marijuana-related products would be reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This watershed moment aims to enhance patient access to medical cannabis and reflects a modernized approach to cannabis policy.
A Forward-Thinking Policy Shift
The reclassification means that FDA-approved cannabis-derived medications, as well as state-licensed medical cannabis programs, will now be recognized under Schedule III. This acknowledges their accepted medical use while still ensuring necessary regulatory controls are in place. The new classification aligns federal policy more closely with the healthcare landscape, where a growing number of states are offering robust medical cannabis programs that cater to millions of patients.
Mike Butler, Co-Chair of ACCM's Outreach Committee, noted, “This is a pivotal moment for patients, providers, and the broader healthcare system. Rescheduling to Schedule III validates the growing body of scientific and clinical evidence supporting medical cannabis while enabling the next phase of responsible integration into mainstream care.”
Expanding Patient Access and Professional Opportunities
The implications of this rescheduling are substantial. It is expected to:
- - Improve access to physician-guided medical cannabis treatment options for patients.
- - Accelerate clinical research and the development of cannabis-based pharmaceuticals.
- - Lower the barriers for healthcare providers engaged in patient-centered cannabis care.
- - Foster broader inclusion of medical cannabis within insurance and wellness programs.
Catalyzing Industry Growth and Sustainability
Moreover, the rescheduling order introduces essential structural reforms for the cannabis industry. It alleviates Section 280E tax burdens for state-licensed operators and creates an expedited federal registration pathway that complements existing state licensing protocols. By reducing regulatory impediments through coordinated federal and state oversight, compliant operators can now reinvest in patient care, improve product quality, and drive innovation. This transformation aims to reinforce transparency and accountability across the medical cannabis industry.
Building Foundations for Future Progress
The ACCM emphasizes that this decision is just a starting point, not an endpoint. The organization plans to collaborate with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and industry stakeholders to further advance standards, education, and infrastructures that ensure safe, effective, and equitable access to medical cannabis. Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, Chair of the ACCM Research Committee, remarked, “Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III is a long-overdue step that opens the door to real science. Now, we can generate the data, educate responsibly, and ensure that access is guided by evidence — not stigma. This is a win for patients, for science, and for global health.”
Ongoing Commitment
ACCM continues to focus on national initiatives, such as the Elevated States program and the Next Frontier platform, aimed at fostering standardized, compliant, and patient-focused integration of medical cannabis into healthcare and wellness systems. Founded in 2016, ACCM is committed to advocating for safe, effective, and equitable access to medical cannabis through progressive policy, physician engagement, patient advocacy, and the establishment of safety standards.
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Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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