FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2023
CONTACT:
Erin Moffet, Erin@TheLiaisonGroup.com, (276) 698-4856
NATIONAL CANNABIS ROUNDTABLE STATEMENT ON HISTORIC HHS RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE CANNABIS TO SCHEDULE III
Washington, D.C. – Today, it was reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has transmitted its recommendation to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that cannabis be moved to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This monumental recommendation is part of the ongoing scheduling review process being undertaken by the federal government following the directive of President Biden made on October 6, 2022.
Saphira Galoob, Executive Director of the National Cannabis Roundtable, released the following statement:
“For half a century, cannabis has been inappropriately classified with no real scientific basis to the detriment of patients and those persecuted under the misguided drug war. With the conclusion of the scientific review by HHS, this historic recommendation to lessen federal restrictions on cannabis and affirming that cannabis has medical value is a major win for patients and should help undo decades of misguided drug policy. At the end of this process, if cannabis ultimately is moved to Schedule III or lower, it will also alleviate the overwhelming tax burden currently facing legal cannabis business, which along with the lack of access to capital, is strangling the regulated industry to the benefit of the illicit market.
“This recommendation by HHS is just the first part of the scheduling review process started under the direction of President Biden last fall, so it remains just as urgent and critical for congressional action on SAFE Banking and other cannabis policy reforms on the federal level. We look forward to the DEA and DOJ determination on this recommendation, and hope that those agencies will consider additional aspects of criminal justice reform in their decision, which lay outside the jurisdiction of the FDA and HHS. NCR remains committed to working with federal agencies and congress to move much-needed cannabis reforms forward that protect consumers, address social justice, and promote economic opportunities.”
###