To me an announcement with this September 2025 request involving the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding the importation of medical cannabis extracts, including those containing THC and CBD.

I did an AI search looking for leads: "Any recent news from DEA & VA looking for imported medical cannabis THC & CBD extracts, especially with Tilray Medical"?

response:

"Recent Developments on DEA and VA Involvement with Imported Medical Cannabis Yes, there is highly relevant recent news from September 2025 involving the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding the importation of medical cannabis extracts, including those containing THC and CBD. This directly ties into efforts to expand access for clinical research and potential therapeutic use among veterans.

While no specific mentions of Tilray Medical appear in these announcements, the context aligns with broader U.S. policy shifts on cannabis research and importation, where companies like Tilray (a major producer of pharmaceutical-grade THC/CBD extracts) have historically participated in similar initiatives.

Key Announcement: VA's Application to Import Cannabis Extracts Date: Announced September 5, 2025 (with formal Federal Register notice on September 8, 2025).

Details: The DEA has confirmed that the VA's Cooperative Studies Program (a division focused on multi-site clinical trials) has applied for federal registration as an importer of marijuana extract (DEA Schedule I drug code 7350) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (DEA Schedule I drug code 7370). This would allow the VA to directly import these controlled substances for research purposes, bypassing some prior restrictions on sourcing.

• Purpose: To facilitate VA-led clinical studies on cannabis for conditions like PTSD, chronic pain, and other veteran-specific health issues, where THC and CBD extracts show promise.
• Process: The application is under DEA review, which typically involves verifying secure handling, storage, and research protocols. If approved, it would mark a significant step in federal efforts to study medical cannabis, building on the 2018 Farm Bill's hemp provisions and DEA's 2021 expansions for research growers.
• Implications: This could streamline access to imported, high-quality extracts for VA trials, reducing reliance on domestic suppliers like the University of Mississippi (the primary U.S. source). It aligns with ongoing DEA proposals to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to III, potentially easing importation for non-research medical use.

This news has generated buzz in the cannabis policy community, with advocates highlighting it as a milestone for veteran healthcare.

Connection to Tilray Medical

No direct link to Tilray in the VA/DEA announcement, but Tilray has a proven track record in DEA-approved imports of THC/CBD extracts for U.S. research: In 2018, Tilray became the first Canadian company to receive DEA approval to import pharmaceutical-grade cannabis capsules (containing THC and CBD) for a clinical trial at UC San Diego's Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, studying essential tremor. This set a precedent for foreign-sourced extracts in U.S. studies. Tilray Medical continues to produce EU-GMP-certified THC/CBD oral solutions and extracts, exported to over 20 countries. Recent activity (June 2025) includes a published pilot study on the pharmacokinetics of Tilray's THC:CBD extracts, showing faster absorption compared to competitors like nabiximols—data that could support future VA trials.

• Potential Overlap: As the VA seeks importers, established players like Tilray could bid or partner on supplying extracts, especially given the VA's focus on standardized, pharma-grade products for veterans.

***Tilray's CEO recently (September 29, 2025) emphasized expanding medical cannabis research for seniors and advocating for federal reforms, which could indirectly benefit VA initiatives.

• Broader Context and Other Recent News DEA's Ongoing Research Push: In line with this VA application, the DEA has prioritized expanding marijuana research access since 2021, registering more growers and allowing imports for trials. Hemp-derived CBD (≤0.3% THC) is already unregulated for research, but full THC extracts require this level of approval.
• VA's Cannabis Stance: The VA has increasingly supported cannabis research for veterans, funding studies on THC/CBD for pain management and mental health. This import application builds on 2024 VA guidelines allowing physicians to discuss cannabis with patients.
• Market Impact: Cannabis stocks, including Tilray ($TLRY), surged in late September 2025 following President Trump's repost of a video on CBD benefits for seniors, signaling potential policy momentum.

If approved, the VA's registration could accelerate trials using imported extracts, potentially involving suppliers like Tilray."