Congress rewrites drug policy: science replaces prosecution, marijuana removed, 31 drugs face reeval

What it does

This bill comprehensively restructures how the U.S. controls drugs by replacing the Attorney General's authority with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, creating a new dual-schedule system (four risk-based schedules I–IV plus four therapeutic-value schedules A–E), establishing a scientific advisory committee to evaluate drugs using evidence-based criteria, and mandating reevaluation of all currently scheduled substances—including removing marijuana entirely and requiring specific review of 31 named drugs (fentanyl, cocaine, psilocybin, ketamine, etc.) within two years. Citizens gain more transparent, science-driven drug policy; researchers gain faster access to study controlled substances; but the bill's scope and complexity create implementation uncertainty.

Why we flagged it

The bill's core function is to replace prosecutorial drug scheduling with evidence-based medical/scientific criteria, transfer authority from DOJ to HHS, and mandate comprehensive reevaluation of all controlled substances. It is not a deregulation bill (many drugs remain scheduled) nor a legalization bill (only marijuana is removed), but a structural reform of how scheduling decisions are made and justified.

What the text implies

• The dual-schedule system (risk-based I–IV + therapeutic-value A–E) creates a matrix that may allow high-risk drugs to remain scheduled even if they have therapeutic value, or vice versa—the interaction between the two schedules is not fully specified in the text and will depend on future rulemaking.
• Marijuana removal is retroactive and applies to all prior convictions and pending cases, potentially triggering massive expungement/resentencing petitions and straining state and federal courts.
• The 'fentanyl-related substance' definition in new Section 102(59) is extremely broad (structural modifications including ring replacements, substitutions, and acyl group changes) and may capture novel opioids faster than traditional scheduling, but the Secretary can override it by explicit control action—creating a complex carve-out.
• The bill transfers scientific investigator registration from Attorney General to Secretary of HHS, potentially accelerating research access to Schedule I substances (psilocybin, LSD, DMT, etc.) if the Secretary approves; this could enable rapid clinical trials but also creates regulatory arbitrage between DOJ and HHS.
• The mandatory reevaluation of 31 named drugs within 2 years is aggressive; failure to complete triggers automatic placement in a default schedule table, which may lock in outdated classifications if the Secretary misses deadlines.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Citizens gain significant transparency and science-based drug policy: marijuana removal, mandatory reevaluation of 31 drugs, and a structured committee process reduce arbitrary enforcement. However, the bill's complexity, reliance on future rulemaking, and the dual-schedule system create implementation uncertainty; some drugs may remain or be rescheduled based on criteria still being defined. Researchers and patients with substance use disorders benefit from faster access and evidence-based trea

Who stands to gain

• pharmaceutical companies developing psychedelic and cannabis-derived therapeutics
• research institutions and universities conducting controlled-substance research
• addiction medicine and mental health treatment providers (expanded patient access to rescheduled med

Named in the bill

Secretary of Health and Human Services, Attorney General, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Committee for scheduling evaluation (15–25 members), American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College on Problems of Drug Dependence, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Society of Biological Psychiatry, American College of Medical Toxicology, Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.) — and 1 more

Where it stands

• Oct 29, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Oct 29, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and House Committee on Agriculture · Congress.gov: “Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary…”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.