Here’s the intro to a report by MJ Biz..
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At least five states with medical cannabis programs have shared key data – including the products patients are using and how they are affected – with U.S. health regulators as part of the Biden administration’s review of whether to remove marijuana from the federal government’s list of the most dangerous drugs, MJBizDaily has learned.
The state data sent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services offers federal researchers a wider and deeper look into marijuana use and its medical potential than most peer-reviewed studies available to researchers, experts told MJBizDaily reporter Chris Roberts.
In sharing the data, officials hope to influence the ongoing federal review of cannabis’ status under the Controlled Substances Act, which still serves as an immovable barrier to long-awaited federal marijuana reform, including interstate commerce and tax relief.
President Joe Biden ordered the review last fall.
The process ultimately could lead to lower federal taxes for cannabis companies and better access to traditional financial services as well as legal interstate commerce and, possibly, federal marijuana legalization – although the final outcome is far from clear.
So far, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Utah have shared information with federal health regulators about marijuana use gleaned from their state programs, officials from those markets confirmed.
“This is going to be some of the most important data considered,” predicted Jahan Marcu, who is serving as scientific adviser to the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform.
States shared the insight into marijuana use and MJ products at the encouragement of the Cannabis Regulators Association, an organization comprised of government officials overseeing state programs.
Read Chris’ story to get a rare peek into the rescheduling review, which federal health officials have kept a near secret so far. |
