What agency is responsible for regulating cannabis at the federal level in the United States?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the agency responsible for regulating cannabis at the federal level in the United States. The DEA enforces the Controlled Substances Act, which classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, meaning it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use according to federal law. This classification impacts how cannabis can be handled, distributed, and researched in the country.

While other agencies, such as the FDA and the EPA, deal with specific aspects of cannabis, their roles do not encompass the comprehensive regulation of cannabis as a controlled substance. The FDA, for instance, primarily oversees the safety and efficacy of cannabis-derived products but does not regulate cannabis in its raw form. Similarly, the ATF is focused on tobacco, alcohol, firearms, and explosives, with no direct jurisdiction over cannabis. Therefore, the DEA plays a crucial role in the overarching regulatory framework for cannabis at the federal level.