What went down at the Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing with Max Jackson

What actually happened inside the DEA’s cannabis rescheduling hearing? In this timely episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Max Jackson, former commercial cannabis cultivator and founder of Cannabis Wise Guys, to unpack what he witnessed firsthand at the DEA hearing on moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. Max spent most of the hearing inside the room, taking handwritten notes because recording and livestreaming were not permitted. As someone who previously managed a commercial cultivation facility with approximately 13,000 flowering cannabis plants, he offers a unique perspective on the arguments being made about cannabis, medical use, public health, research, and the plant itself. Together, Riley and Max break down who opposed rescheduling, what the government and opposing parties argued, and some of the surprising claims and misconceptions that came up during the proceedings. They discuss the difference between whole-plant cannabis and isolated cannabinoids, the challenges of dosing and medical education, cannabis research limitations, adverse effects, and why the lack of cannabis research is itself connected to decades of Schedule I restrictions. The conversation also explores what rescheduling to Schedule III could actually mean, what happens next in the process, why the administrative judge does not make the final decision, and why the DEA ultimately holds that decision. Whether you're a cannabis consumer, home grower, medical professional, researcher, cultivator, cannabis business owner, or simply trying to understand the future of cannabis policy in the United States, this episode gives you an inside look at a hearing most people never had the opportunity to see. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:40 Max Jackson Background 01:36 Why He Attended Hearing 02:52 Security and Closed Doors 06:46 Who Opposed Rescheduling 08:18 Bias and Expert Framing 10:58 Psychosis and CUD Claims 17:08 IV THC and Syringe Confusion 19:16 Plant vs Single Molecule 23:36 No Medical Use Argument 26:45 Youth Access and Regulation 31:13 Humboldt Crime Fears 33:07 Hearing Strategy Angle 33:57 Drugged Driving Testing 35:50 Tolerance And Impairment 38:30 Research Collaboration Gaps 41:10 Breastfeeding And Postpartum 42:54 ER Harms And Education 45:48 Schedule Logic Debate 51:21 DEA Museum Narrative 54:26 Van Check At DEA 57:49 What Happens Next 59:27 Wrap Up And Resources Connect with Max Jackson Cannabis Wise Guys https://cannabiswiseguys.com/ Cannabis Fact Book https://thecannabisfactbook.com/ Email: [email protected] IG: www.instagram.com/cannabiswiseguys/ Want Exclusive Content and ad-free episodes? Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your burning questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Kirk one-on-one. www.Patreon.com/Cannabichem Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more expert insights into cannabis science, plant biology, and more! Sign Up for Emails! www.AppliedPharmacognosy.org Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk: https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem https://instagram.com/cannabichem https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices