How long the DEA might take to form a response is an open question, though experts told MJBizDaily that an initial proposed rule could be issued by the end of the year and the process finalized by next spring.
What the DEA cannot do is reject the HHS recommendation outright, said Howard Sklamberg, who once served as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s top enforcement official.
This means marijuana’s days as a Schedule 1 drug are ending. It’s only a matter of when.
The ball is in the DEA’s court. Some say it should be rescheduled by Spring:
https://mjbizdaily.com/a-look-at-dea-role-in-marijuana-rescheduling-process/