DEA

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy began accepting applications to dispense the products in October. However, the DEA has reportedly warned pharmacies that dispensing medical marijuana violates federal law.

The decline seen in new data happened after state and federal governments tightened prescribing guidelines and state and local governments sued the industry over the toll of the addictive drugs.

If the DEA decides to reclassify marijuana to Schedule III, it wouldn't legalize recreational use nationwide. But it would have some impact, particularly on research and pot business taxes.

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a warning about the drug, which users are buying in chunks and then cutting into powders to snort, inject or smoke.

Supporters say the proposed rules would balance the goals of increasing access to health care and helping prevent medication misuse. Opponents say the rules would make it difficult for some patients — especially those in rural areas — to get care.

The agency determined Morris & Dickman failed to flag thousands of suspicious, high-volume orders at the height of the opioid crisis.

The DEA did not respond to questions about its handling of Morris & Dickson or the involvement of a key consultant the company had hired who is now the agency's second-in-command.

Telehealth flourished during the pandemic thanks to relaxed rules that allowed prescribing without an in-person visit. Federal officials have decided to keep that in place for the time being.

New rules would reinstate most of the online prescribing rules for controlled drugs that were relaxed due to COVID-19. Critics say exceptions should be made for people in hospice care or those who qualify for medically assisted suicide.

The DEA plans to reinstate once longstanding requirements that were waived once COVID hit, enabling doctors to write millions of prescriptions for drugs such as OxyContin or Adderall without meeting patients in person.