NDASA and Partners Secure Pause in Marijuana Rescheduling, Advancing Industry's Call for Scientific Scrutiny

District of Columbia, WA, September 30, 2026 --(PR.com)-- Joint motion brings new government accountability findings before DEA judge; government response due October 13

The National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA), together with DUID Victim Voices and Kenneth Finn, M.D., has secured a significant procedural victory in the marijuana rescheduling proceeding. A DEA judge has paused the matter following the partners’ request to consider new federal findings identifying gaps in the government’s drug scheduling policies.

The pause means the proceeding will not advance while the judge resolves whether to admit the findings and allow additional briefing—an important opportunity for NDASA and its partners to make their case for greater scrutiny of the process behind the proposed move to Schedule III.

“This is an important win for our members and everyone who depends on safe workplaces and communities,” said Jo McGuire, NDASA Executive Director. “When GAO released its findings, NDASA and our partners moved quickly to bring them before the judge. These findings deserve careful consideration before a decision with such broad public safety implications moves forward.”

The action unfolded over six days:

September 23: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report identifying gaps in DEA and FDA policies governing drug scheduling evaluations and decisions.
September 28: NDASA, DUID Victim Voices and Dr. Finn filed a joint motion to admit the report into the hearing record and permit supplemental briefing.

September 29: DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge Derek C. Julius stayed the proceeding pending resolution of the motion and ordered the government to respond by October 13, 2026. Other interested parties may also respond by that date.

GAO found that DEA lacks comprehensive policies defining scheduling roles, responsibilities and procedures. It also identified gaps in FDA’s written policies for conducting evaluations and developing scheduling recommendations, including criteria for assessing a substance’s potential for abuse relative to other substances. The agencies agreed with GAO’s recommendations.

For NDASA and the screening industry, the stakes extend beyond a regulatory classification. Employers and screening professionals depend on sound science and clear federal policies to support workplace safety. NDASA and its partners argue that the newly identified procedural gaps warrant examination before the tribunal issues its recommended decision.

“Our industry has a responsibility to speak up when decisions in Washington carry consequences for workplace safety,” said Scott Taillie, Chairman of the NDASA Board of Directors. “This is why NDASA’s voice matters—and why we will continue insisting on sound science, transparent decisions and public accountability.”

The immediate next step is the October 13 response deadline, after which the judge will determine how to resolve the joint motion. The stay does not decide whether marijuana should be rescheduled; admission of the GAO report and authorization for supplemental briefing remain pending.

“This pause creates an opportunity for a more complete record,” McGuire said. “We will continue working to ensure that the voices of our industry and the people it helps protect are heard.”