GAO Report Reveals Gaps In Federal Drug Scheduling Process As DEA Marijuana Review Continues

GAO Report Identifies Gaps In Federal Drug Scheduling Process

A report published on Wednesday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is calling on federal agencies to improve the policies that govern the drug scheduling process, including how they evaluate substances and develop recommendations.

The report was released as the federal government continues to consider whether to comprehensively reschedule marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III, as was recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

DEA Decisions Generally Aligned With Agency Recommendations

GAO examined a six-year period and found that the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) scheduling decisions usually aligned with recommendations from HHS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

However, the watchdog agency also concluded that both DEA and FDA lack important procedures for carrying out their responsibilities and for ensuring consistency in the scheduling process.

“We found that DEA and FDA have some policies that address aspects of the scheduling process; however, these policies have gaps,” the report said. “For example, DEA does not have any policies or procedures regarding how its staff are to conduct evaluations or schedule substances.”

Report Comes Amid Ongoing Marijuana Review

The findings come as the federal government’s review of marijuana scheduling under the CSA remains ongoing. HHS has recommended moving marijuana to Schedule III, and that recommendation is among the matters the government continues to consider.

GAO’s review of the scheduling process covered how DEA and FDA evaluate substances and develop recommendations, and the report addresses the policies and procedures that guide those activities across the agencies.

The report’s release on Wednesday places its findings before federal agencies at a time when the scheduling process, including the evaluation of substances and the development of recommendations, is under continued examination by the government.

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