DEA Begins Registering Over 900 Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Seven States

The DEA has begun registering more than 900 qualifying medical-marijuana dispensaries across seven states under a federal Schedule III framework created by an April Justice Department order; registrations are being issued in phases and require federal vetting, since state licenses alone do not qualify businesses. The initial rollout includes dispensaries in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, which must meet federal rules for security, recordkeeping and inventory controls. Vireo Growth said all 41 of its Florida dispensaries received registrations, while Trulieve also announced federal approval for its medical-marijuana operations and said the change could support clinical research and improve the industry’s competitive footing. Other operators are still awaiting decisions, and the DEA reportedly rejected an application from a Minnesota adult-use retailer, underscoring that the new pathway applies to qualifying medical businesses rather than adult-use cannabis generally. The Justice Department is separately reviewing applications from manufacturers and distributors, and broader rescheduling of marijuana remains under consideration.