A DEA hearing on the Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling plans, initially set for January 21, has been canceled due to a legal challenge by pro-rescheduling proponents.

DEA Judge John Mulrooney rejected arguments about how alleged improper communications and witness selection decisions by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram warranted the agency’s removal from the process but allowed an interlocutory appeal, pausing proceedings for at least three months.

Mulrooney criticized DEA procedural missteps that could delay rulemaking indefinitely and highlighted troubling communications between agency officials and anti-rescheduling witnesses.

Mulrooney noted the communication as “disturbing and embarrassing revelation”.

The proposal aims to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.