DEA Expands Medical Cannabis Supply Chain Registration in the United States

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has opened federal registration forms to additional participants in the medical cannabis supply chain, streamlining oversight of cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and researchers. This expansion represents a significant step toward normalizing medical marijuana operations under federal law, though the regulations explicitly exclude adult-use cannabis. The move aims to create clearer regulatory pathways for patients and healthcare providers seeking access to cannabis-based therapeutics for conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. However, the federal Schedule I classification remains unchanged, maintaining restrictions on research and interstate commerce. This development is particularly relevant for Puerto Rico, where medical marijuana programs operate within complex federal-commonwealth regulatory frameworks.