Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commissioners and Executive Director Issue Statements Relative to Federal Rescheduling

WORCESTER – Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) Chair Shannon O’Brien, Commissioner Kimberly Roy, and Executive Director Travis Ahern issued the following statements relative to the proposed federal marijuana rescheduling as announced by the Trump Administration on Thursday.

“President Trump’s Executive Order expediting rescheduling of cannabis marks a significant step forward for public health and patient care in the United States. By aligning federal policy more closely with the science, this action will help remove long-standing barriers to medical research and open the door to safer, more effective treatments for people living with chronic and debilitating conditions,” said Commissioner Kimberly Roy, who sits in the public health seat. “ For veterans managing service-related injuries and trauma, and for older Americans coping with pain, cancer, and age-related illnesses, this change has the potential to expand access to evidence-based therapies while maintaining strong safeguards. It will also empower researchers and clinicians to better understand both the benefits and risks of cannabis, ultimately improving clinical guidance, product safety, and quality of life for patients across the country. My hope is that Massachusetts will be a global leader in this effort.” 

“In the Commonwealth and many other states, licensed cannabis businesses have proven to operate safely and responsibly,” O’Brien said. “As such, they should get benefits—like access to banking, bankruptcy protections, and tax deductions—that all other legal businesses enjoy. It is exciting that rescheduling would also recognize the medicinal potential of cannabis, leading to research that improves treatment for medical patients.”

“As a member of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), Massachusetts has been preparing for the possibility of rescheduling and will closely follow changes as the process moves forward,” Ahern said. “Potential rescheduling at the federal level comes at a pivotal time as Massachusetts prepares for an expansion of the regulated cannabis industry through three new social consumption license types.”

The order directs federal agencies to begin the process of reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance (considered high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use) to a Schedule III controlled substance (recognized as having medical use and lower abuse potential). While this executive order does not legalize marijuana federally, it marks a significant federal policy shift, with potential implications for the Commonwealth’s cannabis industry.

The national, nonpartisan Cannabis Regulators Association has published a helpful briefing document to assist stakeholders with understanding what rescheduling means for states. Massachusetts remains an active member with the association of government agencies under the leadership of Ahern, who participated in CANNRA’s annual meeting for voting members last week.

The Commission previously submitted a public comment to the U.S. Department of Justice that supported rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III and remains available to provide research and information to assist the Attorney General in these renewed efforts. 

For more information, visit MassCannabisControl.com, contact the Commission by phone (774-415-0200) or email (Commission@CCCMass.com), or follow the agency on Facebook and X.    

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