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# FDA Looking at Marijuana Scheduling Flexibility: Woodcock
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-looking-at-marijuana-scheduling-flexibility-woodcock/
- Published: 2022-10-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T18:04:30.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5153073

FDA principal deputy commissioner **Janet Woodcock** told a Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation Webinar that the agency is exploring what flexibilities it might have as part of President Biden’s order for a marijuana scheduling review. But Woodcock cautioned that while FDA will lead the scientific and medical evaluation of cannabis, it is the Drug Enforcement Administration that makes the final scheduling decisions, according to an online *Marijuana Moment* [post](https://www.marijuanamoment.net/fda-exploring-flexibilities-in-marijuana-scheduling-review-but-top-official-says-dea-has-final-word/?ref=fdaweb.com).

The post says Woodcock did not offer any particularly specific comments about what she expects to come out of the review or how long it might take. She reportedly stressed that FDA is “agnostic” on cannabis and will work to determine the health risks and benefits of marijuana based on an eight-factor assessment.

“If FDA ultimately finds that cannabis has an established medical value,” the post says, “that would directly conflict with its status as a Schedule I drug, which is reserved for substances with no authorized medical use and high abuse potential.”