DEA Includes Trulieve Dispensaries in Medical Marijuana Registrations

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. announced on November 2, 2026, that it had received U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registrations for medical marijuana dispensaries as part of the DEA’s initial registrations for qualifying state-licensed operators. The Trulieve announcement did not say how many of its dispensaries received registrations or identify the registered locations.

The company applied for DEA registration for its state-licensed operations in April 2026, following the rescheduling of state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers called the registrations another milestone for patients, physicians and Trulieve. Rivers said, “Federal reclassification of state licensed medical marijuana opens the door for clinical research while creating a level playing field for responsible operators like Trulieve.” She also thanked the DEA for its work and continued engagement with state-licensed medical cannabis operators as the federal framework is implemented.

The Justice Department’s October 30, 2026, announcement said the initial registrations included more than 900 dispensaries across Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The department described them as the first phase of implementing the Attorney General’s April 23, 2026, order, which established a federal regulatory framework for qualifying medical marijuana businesses while maintaining federal controls under the Controlled Substances Act.

DEA began with dispensaries that submitted applications within the order’s initial 60-day period and met applicable federal requirements. To qualify, applicants must operate under a state medical marijuana regulatory framework consistent with federal law and the United States’ international treaty obligations. Each dispensary also had to complete DEA’s pre-registration investigation successfully before receiving registration. State licensure alone does not automatically grant federal registration.

Registered dispensaries are subject to applicable federal requirements, including security, recordkeeping, inventory controls and other safeguards governing the handling of controlled substances.

Applications from medical marijuana manufacturers and distributors, which supply medical marijuana to dispensaries, remain under review. Those applications require additional review, including facility inspections, production controls and quota determinations. Under the order, qualifying manufacturers, distributors and dispensaries that applied within the initial 60-day period and whose applications remain pending may continue medical marijuana transactions with other qualified applicants and newly registered entities, subject to the order’s requirements.

The Justice Department’s April order announcement said the order immediately placed FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana and medicinal marijuana products subject to a qualifying state-issued license in Schedule III. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche acted under his authority to reschedule drugs to carry out U.S. obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

The order does not authorize recreational marijuana or marijuana activities outside its defined qualifying medical scope. Marijuana not covered by the order remains subject to Schedule I controls. The broader proposed rescheduling of marijuana is being considered through a separate administrative proceeding under the Controlled Substances Act.

DEA said it would continue processing dispensary applications and issuing registrations to qualifying dispensaries through the phased process while maintaining its regulatory and enforcement responsibilities under federal law.