We reported whisperings of this early in the week.
Now it is official this is what we are hearing from various sources
Let’s start with
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Dear CIAO Members and Supporters, Exciting news on the federal front! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has officially proposed that marijuana move from Schedule I to Schedule III. We understand that many licensees don’t know if they should terrified, excited, or all of the above and everything in between. That being said, one thing’s clear: this represents a significant pivot in federal cannabis policy towards a more favorable stance. Notably, if adopted, the dreaded 280E would no longer apply to cannabis licensees. Key Takeaways:
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Ganjapreneur write
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The NCIA
| National Cannabis Industry Association Responds to Health & Human Services Recommendation on Marijuana Scheduling
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National Cannabis Industry Association Responds to Health & Human Services Recommendation on Marijuana Scheduling
WASHINGTON, DC – It’s been reported today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an official recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration calling for marijuana to be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III status in the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Advocates acknowledged this historic move in the long fight to end marijuana prohibition but point out the rescheduling would not resolve many of the issues plaguing state cannabis markets.
“Moving cannabis to schedule III could have some limited benefit but does nothing to align federal law with the 38 U.S. states which have already effectively regulated cannabis for medical or adult use. The only way to fully resolve the myriad of issues stemming from the federal conflict with state law is to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and regulate the product in a manner similar to alcohol.” said National Cannabis Industry Association CEO Aaron Smith.
“The vast majority of Americans live in states with laws that depart from federal law on this issue and where thousands of regulated Main Street businesses are serving the legal cannabis market safely and responsibly. It’s long past time for Congress to truly harmonize federal policy with those states.”
Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I substance, a status reserved for drugs with high potential for abuse and no medical value. This nonbinding recommendation acknowledges decades of scientific data suggesting Schedule I status is inappropriate.
Laws to make cannabis legal for adults have passed in 23 states as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of CNMI and Guam, and 38 states as well as several territories have comprehensive medical cannabis laws. Three in four Americans live in a state where cannabis is legal in some form.
The BBC
US health department recommends looser restrictions on cannabis
The US Department of Health and Human Services has called on the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to loosen federal rules on cannabis.
The drug is illegal at the federal level despite 40 of 50 US states having passed laws legalising its use in some form.
Cannabis is currently listed in the same class of drugs as heroin and LSD.
If the DEA changes its classification, it could mark the most significant shift in US drug policy in decades.
Cannabis is currently classified as a schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it has no medical use and a high chance of abuse.
The change to schedule 3 would align it with drugs listed as having a low potential for dependency and abuse. Ketamine, codeine, and anabolic steroids fall under that classification.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66667191
CNBC
HHS calls for easing restrictions on marijuana, sending cannabis stocks higher
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recommended easing restrictions on marijuana, a spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Administration told CNBC on Wednesday.
- That move could potentially expand the market for cannabis, sending shares of Canopy Growth, Tilray Brands and Cronos Group higher.
- Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, a designation reserved for drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/30/hhs-calls-for-easing-marijuana-restrictions.html
Lots more to come!
Sean Hocking
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