In the latest episode of TDR’s cannabis reform mini-series, host Shadd Dales dives into the background and influence of Judge John J. Mulrooney II. Mulrooney is the Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the DEA assigned to preside over the hearings to determine whether or not cannabis should be rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III. These hearings, scheduled from January 21 to March 6, 2025, could be pivotal in shaping the future of cannabis legislation in the United States.
Judge John Mulrooney brings an impressive legal background to this critical role. After earning his Bachelor of Arts from Hofstra University in 1982 and a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School in 1985, he has served as the Chief ALJ since 2018. He’s well known for a meticulous approach and strict adherence to procedural rules.
His commitment to fairness is evident. Case in point: his decision to allow testimony from a young medical marijuana patient, showcasing the real-life impacts of current cannabis scheduling. Such testimony could sway the hearings toward rescheduling cannabis.
On the other hand, Mulrooney’s rigid procedural standards—illustrated by his rejection of three out of four subpoena requests due to errors in the DEA’s submissions—could limit the scope of evidence and testimony, potentially slowing down the process.
Participants include prominent organizations such as Hemp for Victory, the NCIA, and Village Farms, as well as presentations from government officials and the DEA’s federal narcotics agents. These discussions will frame the debate over whether cannabis should be rescheduled under federal law.
We’ll also outline some of the key details of the upcoming hearings.
As the hearings approach early in the new year, will Judge Mulrooney’s approach facilitate progress toward rescheduling cannabis, or will his strict procedural standards create delays? Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments and subscribe to TDR’s channel for updates.
With 2025 on the horizon, the countdown to the ALJ hearings has officially begun. We’ll see if 2025 promises to be a landmark event in cannabis reform.
