Louisiana Withdraws from Lawsuit Challenging Federal Medical Marijuana Reclassification

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a petition on Friday to withdraw the state from a lawsuit that Nebraska and Indiana filed against the U.S. Justice Department. The suit challenges the Trump administration’s effort to reclassify medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, alleging that the administration bypassed the usual rulemaking process.

The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration are moving forward with the reclassification under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in December to expand medical‑marijuana research. The DEA has scheduled a hearing for June 29 to outline an expedited process for updating the drug’s schedule. Louisiana, which approved medical marijuana in 2015 but still prohibits recreational use, will no longer be a party to the case.

The lawsuit argues that the agency’s action violates the Administrative Procedure Act and exceeds statutory authority, while the administration maintains the change reflects recognized medical use and a lower risk of dependency.