Tennessee
What the Public Health and Research Reforms in Controlled Substances Act Means for Federal Drug Laws
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Key points
- Rep. Steve Cohen introduced H.R. 10923 to shift drug-scheduling authority from the DEA to the HHS Secretary.
- The bill creates a dual-axis scheduling system and fully deschedules marijuana retroactively.
- The proposal eliminates quantity-based mandatory minimum sentences but currently awaits committee review.
NewsWK — On October 29, 2026, Representative Steve Cohen introduced federal legislation to overhaul national drug enforcement policies. The Tennessee Democrat submitted H.R. 10923 to rewrite key provisions of federal law. The bill currently awaits review in six House committees, including Energy and Commerce as well as Judiciary.
How Would the Steve Cohen Drug Reform Bill Shift Federal Authority?
The 89-page measure shifts primary drug-scheduling power away from the Department of Justice. Instead, the bill transfers scheduling, quota settings, and research registration from the Drug Enforcement Administration to Health and Human Services. Consequently, federal health officials would gain broad administrative control over national drug classifications.
What Changes Does HR 10923 Make to Federal Drug Scheduling HHS Regulations?
Under HR 10923, federal authorities would replace the traditional five-schedule framework with a new dual-axis system. Numerical categories I through IV grade addiction risks, while alphabetical schedules A through E measure therapeutic value. An independent advisory committee of 15 to 25 members will score these substances using 14 statutory factors.
How Does the Controlled Substances Act Reform Bill Impact Cannabis and Sentencing?
The proposal completely removes marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols from the Controlled Substances Act. Furthermore, this descheduling applies retroactively to past offenses, pending cases, and juvenile adjudications. However, the Food and Drug Administration retains oversight and must conduct three public safety meetings within one year.
Additionally, the measure eliminates quantity-based mandatory minimum prison sentences for drug offenses. The statutory changes direct federal regulators to reevaluate 32 specific substances within two years of enactment. Important substances named for mandatory HHS review include:
- Psilocybin and LSD
- MDMA and ketamine
- DMT, mescaline, and ibogaine
Still, Congress has not scheduled hearings or votes on the proposed legislation.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
Related: H. Res. 1575 Donald Trump Impeachment Measure Filed in House by Rep. Steve Cohen
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