Trump DOJ Withdraws Key Cannabis Research & Hemp-Testing Rules: What It Means for Florida and Beyond

What Happened

On September 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi published notice that it is withdrawing a number of proposed rules and regulatory actions put forward during the Biden administration. Among the 54 Notices of Proposed Rulemaking being withdrawn are:

• A rule tied to the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, which was passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in 2022. This law was intended to streamline the process for researchers to study cannabis.

• A proposed rule to allow hemp labs that analyze Farm Bill-compliant hemp to do so without DEA certification. This “Analytical Labs and Hemp” rule was to waive registration requirements for labs analyzing only hemp chemical content.

The DOJ frames this move as part of a “deregulatory initiative … because of ongoing assessments of agency needs, priorities and objectives.”

Importantly, this withdrawal does not (at least according to some sources inside the White House) include the broader proposal to reschedule cannabis under federal law— that is, changing its classification under the Controlled Substances Act. That proposal, which Trump has indicated he would address, remains “on the books.”

Why It Matters

These changes have important implications for researchers, the hemp industry, and patients/consumers. Here are some of the key concerns:

1. Stalled Research

   Eliminating the streamlined pathways under the research act could slow or complicate efforts to conduct scientific studies on cannabis. This could delay progress on understanding medical benefits, risks, dosing, etc. The law passed in 2022 aimed to reduce the burdens faced by researchers.

2. Hemp Testing Burden

   Without the exemption for hemp labs, labs that solely analyze hemp (which is federally legal under the Farm Bill so long as THC levels are compliant) would still require DEA registration. That adds cost, administrative burden, and may limit the number of labs available to do testing— which can cascade into delays or increased costs for farmers, processors, and businesses.

3. Regulatory Uncertainty

   Because the proposed rules are being withdrawn, there is now confusion over what rules will govern hemp labs and research going forward. Will new rules be proposed? Will existing ones be enforced more strictly? For those in the industry or medical research, planning is difficult without stable regulatory ground.

4. Impact on Patients and Access

   Medical cannabis patients may indirectly be affected if research is delayed—less evidence, fewer innovations. Also, hemp industries (CBD, wellness products) could suffer from delays in testing, which may affect product safety, market access, or compliance.

What’s Still in Play

• The rescheduling proposal is still nominally active. Trump has said he intends to address rescheduling within weeks.

• Congressional authority: some of the changes (especially related to research laws) are based on statutes passed by Congress. There may be legal or legislative challenges if the Executive branch tries to retreat from obligations under those laws.

What Florida Advocates Should Watch For

As Suncoast NORML and other state/regional advocacy groups think ahead, here are some focal points:

• State lab capacity: If federal labs face new burdens, state or private labs may fill gaps—but only if state laws/regulations allow and resources exist.

• Legislative oversight: Keep an eye on how Florida’s congressional delegation responds—both in terms of votes and public statements—especially around ensuring that federal laws (like the research expansion act) are properly implemented.

• Regulatory comments: Most rule withdrawals and proposed regulations allow for public comment or require transparency. Advocacy groups should monitor the Federal Register and submit comments to influence any future proposals.

• Patient implications: For Florida’s medical cannabis patients, any delay in research could slow development of new therapies. Ensuring funding and support for research at state universities or public health institutions may help mitigate these risks.

Our Take

The withdrawal of these rules marks a setback for both research and hemp industry stakeholders, particularly those who were relying on clearer pathways under the 2022 law. While the rescheduling proposal offers potential upside, the immediate impact is increased uncertainty and possible delays in innovation, testing, and market development.

Suncoast NORML will continue tracking how these changes play out—how the DOJ implements withdrawal, whether new regulations are proposed, and how this affects constituents in Florida and across the country.