On Tuesday, upon the request of a subset of the parties participating in the rescheduling proceedings, the assigned ALJ cancelled the six weeks of hearings that were scheduled to begin on January 21st. The cancellation order was issued after pro-rescheduling groups claimed that DEA had engaged in ex parte communications with groups opposing the rescheduling. This was the second such request by these groups. Although the ALJ noted the relief sought – removing DEA as the agency advocating for the rescheduling – is not relief the ALJ is empowered to grant and accordingly denied said request, the ALJ cancelled the hearings to enable the moving parties to seek an immediate appeal of that decision with the Administrator of the DEA.

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