FAS

DEA Will Not Decontrol Marijuana, and More from CRS

09.26.16 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

After a 5 year review process, the Drug Enforcement Agency decided to reject a petition to reduce or eliminate legal controls on marijuana. However, it agreed to authorize increased legal cultivation of marijuana for research purposes.

The current state of affairs was summarized by the Congressional Research Service in DEA Will Not Reschedule Marijuana, But May Expand Number of Growers of Research Marijuana, CRS Legal Sidebar, September 21, 2016.

Other new or updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.

Child Support Enforcement and the Hague Convention on Recovery of International Child Support, updated September 22, 2016

Clean Air Issues in the 114th Congress, updated September 21, 2016

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), updated September 21, 2016

U.S. Agricultural Trade with Cuba: Current Limitations and Future Prospects, updated September 21, 2016

Iran Sanctions, updated September 21, 2016

Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress, updated September 21, 2016

publications
See all publications
Government Capacity
Policy Memo
We Need a U.S. Permitting Corps: Executive and Legislative Recommendations

Despite significant political momentum behind reform efforts, limited attention has been paid to the federal workforce that will actually be responsible for interpreting and implementing new permitting regulations and better outcomes.

07.08.26 | 10 min read
read more
Environment
Press release
Amid Sweltering Weather, the Federation of American Scientists Releases Expert-Sourced “State and Local Heat Policy Agenda”

Nearly 150 organizations and government officials have endorsed the call to action and solutions for extreme heat, now public at HeatAgenda.US Washington, D.C. – July 7, 2026 – As millions of Americans continue to struggle to stay cool following one of the hottest Independence Day holidays on record, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), one […]

07.07.26 | 3 min read
read more
Environment
Issue Brief
Policy Memo
The State and Local Heat Policy Agenda

Addressing rising heat will take all of us. Together, we can create heat-safe homes, workplaces, schools, childcare facilities, and communities – the backbone of a heat-ready nation.

07.07.26 | 5 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Securing Cell-Free Biomanufacturing as a Strategic National Capability

DNA synthesis and export controls remain the primary regulatory safeguards against de novo production of harmful biological agents, yet governance frameworks lack the situational awareness and enforcement capacity to keep pace with rapidly falling technical barriers.

07.02.26 | 11 min read
read more