MMJ's DEA lawsuit continues moving through the federal courts. The 8 organizations who have been issued DEA federal cannabis registrations since 2021, all are incapable of growing pharmaceutical-grade marijuana and 7 are now either inactive or bankrupt.
WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / April 20, 2025 / As the nation marks April 20 or "4/20," the unofficial cannabis holiday long associated with marijuana reform, cultural awareness, and patient advocacy, new revelations expose a scandal at the heart of America's DEA federal cannabis research policy.
The 8 companies granted marijuana registrations by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) since 2021, the only one, MMJ BioPharma Cultivation is actively pursuing FDA-compliant, pharmaceutical-grade marijuana development. The others are either inactive, bankrupt or never began cultivation at all.
Despite being the only registrant aligned with federal pharmaceutical drug development standards, MMJ BioPharma's application has been delayed since 2018 - a staggering violation of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (MCREA), which requires the DEA to act within 60 days.
"This is not a backlog - this is a blockade. The DEA's inaction has destroyed scientific opportunities and patient hope. Seven years is not a delay - it's deliberate DEA obstruction" said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation.
4/20: From Celebration to DEA Epitome Of Ineptitude
April 20 has long been a symbol of cannabis progress and patient empowerment. But in 2025, it also marks the failure of America's regulatory framework due to bureaucrats at the DEA that have not delivered. Meet Thomas Prevoznik, Deputy Administrator, Matthew Strait, Deputy Administrator Policy and Aarathi Haig, DEA attorney now under investigation for ethical violations.
While the DEA continues to posture about promoting research, the facts tell a different story:
7 of 8 registrants are non-operational or irrelevant to medical science
The only viable pharmaceutical applicant MMJ remains blocked
MCREA's 60-day deadline has been ignored for over 2,300 days
MMJ BioPharma Cultivation: Still Waiting While Others Vanish
MMJ BioPharma is the only registrant to:
Submit FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) applications
Receive FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Huntington's Disease
Develop a THC/CBD softgel for Huntington's Disease and MS
Build a federally compliant cultivation facility
Complete and pass DEA pre-registration inspections
DEA Issued Schedule 1 registration to MMJ Labs
Despite these accomplishments, the DEA has yet to issue MMJ's bulk manufacturing registration.
DEA's Marijuana Research Program: A Roster of Failure
Company |
Status |
Notes |
MMJ BioPharma Cultivation |
✅ Active |
Still waiting for DEA to issue registration; only company pursuing FDA clinical trials with softgel capsule |
Maridose (Maine) |
❌ Inactive |
Not growing, only 1,100 sq ft of space |
Scottsdale Research Institute |
❌ Inactive |
No marijuana being cultivated |
Bright Green Corp |
❌Surrendered |
Never grew; relinquished registration |
Royal Emerald Pharmaceuticals |
❌ Inactive |
Rumored bankruptcy |
Groff NA Hemplex |
❌ Inactive |
Ceased operations |
University of Mississippi |
⚠️ Poor Quality |
Substandard marijuana, decades-old monopoly |
BRC (Biopharmaceutical Research Co.) |
⚠️ Limited Activity |
Growing a small number of plants, not FDA-focused |
Irvine Labs |
⚠️ Limited Activity |
Minimal cultivation, no pharmaceutical output |
Calls for Action on 4/20
In light of the program's implosion, MMJ BioPharma and patient advocates are calling for:
Immediate approval of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation's stalled application
A DOJ Office of Inspector General investigation
A formal audit of all DEA marijuana registrants since 2021
"On this 4/20, Americans should not be celebrating cannabis reform - they should be demanding accountability, Boise added. "The DEA's marijuana program isn't just broken. It's a scam - and suffering patients are paying the price."
MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan.
CONTACT:
Madison Hisey
mhisey@mmjih.com
203-231-8583
SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire