Marijuana Laws: U.S. Health Officials Call For Easing Restrictions
Marijuana laws may be changing. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has suggested making it easier for people to use marijuana, as stated by a spokesperson from the department on Wednesday. This suggestion comes after President Biden’s request for a review last year.
Please note that for this blog, the term “marijuana” is used for cannabis flower and products containing more than 0.3% Delta-9-THC from cannabis. Although marijuana / cannabis and hemp are essentially the same plant, hemp has been cultivated to contain less than 0.3% THC and is federally legal in most states. Please see this blog for information: Is CBD legal in your state? Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD and cannabinoids from hemp, do not fall under the same marijuana laws discussed here.
It’s important to note that Rare Cannabinoid Company products are contain cannabinoids derived from hemp, not cannabis / marijuana, and contain less than 0.3% THC. Even our THC Gummies (which include our Mood Gummies with CBC oil, Sleep Gummies with CBN, Relief Gummies with CBG, and Uplift Gummies with THCV, and contain 2.5 or 5mg Delta-9-THC) are federally legal and ship to all 50 states.
States have their own marijuana laws
Almost 40 states in the U.S. have allowed the use of marijuana in some way, but in a few states and at the federal level, it’s still considered entirely against the law. Changing how we view marijuana, making it seem less dangerous compared to drugs like heroin, would be a small step toward making it more accepted, and most people in the U.S. support this idea.
The advice to consider changing how we classify marijuana was given to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on Tuesday, as a response to what President Biden asked the HHS to do, the spokesperson explained.
The DEA spokesperson explained, “As part of this process, the HHS carefully looked at scientific and medical information. The DEA has the last say in deciding how drugs are categorized under the Controlled Substances Act. Now, the DEA will begin their own review.”
Changing the way we see marijuana
Right now, marijuana is labeled as a schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This means it’s seen as highly likely to be abused and is considered to have no approved medical use. Other drugs like heroin and LSD also fall into this category.
The HHS is suggesting that we change how we see marijuana. They propose that it’s not as likely to lead to strong dependence or abuse, which would put it in a group with drugs like ketamine and testosterone.
Shift in marijuana laws could spur business boom
If the way marijuana is seen changes at the national level, big stock markets might allow companies that work with marijuana to be listed, and foreign businesses could start selling their marijuana products in the U.S.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “The government’s process is led by the HHS and the Department of Justice. They use evidence to guide them. We’re going to let this process continue.”
Canada has made marijuana legal. This has made it a hub in North America for companies that grow and sell marijuana, and many of these companies might move into the U.S. if marijuana becomes legal there too.
Marijuana stocks go up
When this news over possible changes to marijuana laws came out, the shares of different companies that work with marijuana went up. Companies like Canopy Growth, Tilray Brands, and Cronos Group saw their stock prices rise. Other firms like Verano Holdings and Sunburn Cannabis were also happy about the HHS’s suggestion.
Verano’s CEO George Archos said, “For a long time, marijuana being seen as a super harmful drug has hurt many people because of the failed War on Drugs.”
This story was first reported by Bloomberg.
For more information on hemp, cannabis and marijuana laws, see these blogs:
Delta-9-THC Gummies Legal Status
With Delta-8 And Delta-9 THC-O Deemed Illegal, What Are The Alternatives?
Is CBD Legal in Florida? Is CBD legal in Texas? Is CBD Legal in all States?