Software Effective Solutions Corp. (SFWJ) Takes Critical Steps Toward Achieving Global Production and Processing Vision

MedCana has identified Colombia’s Antioquia Valley as a perfect location to begin its initial rollout of technology and production
The company is working with five subsidiaries in the area, each of which has three licenses to produce, process and export cannabis
Equally important to MedCana is working closely with the people of the Antioquia Valley and maintaining its commitments to its investors

Cannabis legalization is not exclusive to North America. So far, more than 40 countries have legalized cannabis fully or partially for medical and/or adult use (https://cnw.fm/H7Jbq). With its focus on the global horizon, Software Effective Solutions (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) has a vision of building its partner companies into one of the world’s most advanced cannabinoid production and processing organizations.

MedCana has taken the first step in achieving that global mission. Recognizing that ideal climate conditions produce a better yield, the company announced that it has “searched the world over, and we believe the Antioquia Valley, near Medellin [Colombia], is the perfect location to begin our initial rollout of technology and production. We are partnering with companies [in the valley] to begin implementation of our technology and tools with our partners.

“The 6,900-foot elevation and latitude provide optimal spring-like weather year-round,” the announcement continued. “Natural rainfall and multiple artesian springs mean perfect, clean water. The soils are rich, and combined with the long days of sunshine, we can complete four complete growth cycles per year. This means access to highest-quality, inexpensive, certified materials in order to produce the highest-grade pharmaceutical extracts needed by the top pharmaceutical companies in the world” (https://cnw.fm/xCkap).

MedCana is working with five subsidiaries, each of which has three licenses to produce, process and export cannabis. Currently, the five companies are sharing 100 acres of some of the “finest land on earth” for development; the property includes fresh artesian springs, river frontage and majestic countryside.

On top of ideal outdoor growing conditions, MedCana companies are also building greenhouses to take full advantage of all the climate offers. The first phase of production includes an estimated seven acres of initial greenhouse space combined with state-of-the-art monitoring technology and highly trained staff.

“Because of excellent weather, long days and highly skilled, inexpensive labor, costs decrease dramatically,” the company reports. “An average of 12 hours of sunshine every day, perfect local soils, and plentiful rain and natural springs mean we’ll be able to grow up to four full seasons per year without the cost of expensive and power-hungry lighting.”

However, MedCana isn’t singularly focused on profit. Equally important to the company is working closely with the people of the Antioquia Valley and maintaining its commitments to its investors. “MedCana is out to prove you can do good and do well,” the company promises. “Our initial partnership in the Antioquia Valley operation will employ people from the local villages and pay some of the best salaries for agricultural trades in the country. In addition, MedCana will give back to the local communities to improve the lives of the residents. Schools, clinics, and civic projects will all benefit from our operation.

“And by doing good, we’ll do well,” the company continues. “Even with the high local salaries, our partner companies will be operating at costs far lower than in the United States, Europe and Asia. We estimate that all our efficiencies will result in a lower price of finished, top-quality, pharmaceutical grade CBD oil, [with costs] dramatically lower than production in the Northern Hemisphere.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.MedCana.net.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SFWJ are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ

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Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) Produces Notable Findings in Latest Weight Loss Study

Lexaria, a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, has released interim results from its WEIGHT-A24-1 animal study
The study sought to explore the impact of its patented DehydraTECH technology on glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) drugs for the potential treatment of diabetes and weight loss, representing a major global market
The first 28 days of dosing yielded positive results that Lexaria’s management described as “noteworthy”
It also marked a significant milestone for the company and the first time it has used liraglutide in any of its GLP-1 studies

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery enhancement, just released interim results from its WEIGHT-A24-1 animal study. The study evaluated the company’s patented DehydraTECH technology and its potential to address diabetes and weight loss. The first four weeks of dosing was successful, with Lexaria’s management describing its findings as “noteworthy” (https://cnw.fm/nRqEL).

The first phase of this study involved eight study arms, four of which used varying compositions of DehydraTECH-processed CBD. Two of the arms used reformulated Rybelsus(R) composition, which included DehydraTECH and sodium salcaprozate (“SNAC”) technology. In contrast, the last two used pure GLP-1 drugs, primarily semaglutide and liraglutide, respectively, without SNAC inclusion. This marked the first time Lexaria has used liraglutide in any glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) study.

“This is the first time that DehydraTECH processing was applied to the GLP-1 drug liraglutide, and it is encouraging to witness its relative outperformance,” noted Lexaria’s official reporting on the findings.

Over the course of the study, unlimited food and water were provided to the animals. In the initial acclimation phase, 34 days before the beginning of dosing, the animals gained 10.9% body weight on average. During the subsequent 28 days of dosing, all animals showed either a noticeable decrease in the rate of body weight gain or the beginning of weight reduction. Most notably, DehydraTECH-liraglutide and DehydraTECH-CBD produced the most significant weight loss results at -1.58% and -1.50%, respectively.

For Lexaria, this marks a significant milestone, not just with using liraglutide in its studies but also in closing the first eight study arms and evaluating results from the first 28 days of dosing. An additional 56 days of dosing remains across all treatment groups. Its management is optimistic about upcoming results, with the confidence that the progress achieved will be integral in shaping the outcome of future studies.

Dosing for Cohort 2 of the study has already begun and is expected to be completed in mid-October. This Cohort will feature four study arms, including a positive control arm, a placebo arm, a combined DehydraTECH-semaglutide with DehydraTECH-CBD arm, and a combined DehydraTECH-liraglutide with DehydraTECH-CBD.

This study affirms the company’s focus on both medium-term and longer-term strategies. Its management is optimistic about this undertaking and looks to follow through with it within its set timelines.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LexariaBioscience.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LEXX are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/LEXX

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420 with CNW — Oklahoma Court Says It Isn’t Illegal for Pregnant Women to Use Medical Cannabis

The Court of Criminal Appeals in Oklahoma recently made a ruling that women who hold state medical cards and use cannabis during pregnancy cannot be charged with child neglect. This ruling marks an important victory for Amanda Aguilar, who has been waiting almost four years for this outcome.

In 2020, Aguilar was charged with felony child neglect in Kay County following her newborn son’s positive test results for cannabis at birth. This legal dispute has created significant stress for the single parent of five children and limited her employment options.

After learning of the court’s ruling, Aguilar said, “I might have given up if it were about something else, but since it was related to my children, I knew I had to keep fighting.”

Aguilar’s story was first highlighted in the Frontier and the Marshall Project in 2022. During her pregnancy, she used medical cannabis to alleviate severe morning sickness, and she had a doctor’s authorization for its use. Despite her son being born healthy, the hospital reported her to child welfare officials, who then shared the baby’s drug test results with law enforcement.

The recent ruling establishes a new legal standard in the state, where an increasing number of women — even those with valid medical licenses — have been charged with child neglect for using cannabis when pregnant.

According to reports published earlier this year by the Frontier and the Marshall Project, many women who are charged in these types of instances frequently cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Therefore, rather than contesting the charges in court, the majority of them choose to accept plea agreements that result in probation.

The court’s decision made it apparent that although they do not support pregnant women using marijuana, Oklahoma nonetheless permits cannabis use. The court has also urged the state legislature to reevaluate the laws that are now in place regarding this matter, implying that new legislation may be required to address potential criminal charges against marijuana-using pregnant women.

Two judges, however, dissented from the decision, noting that Aguilar’s unborn child lacked a separate medicinal marijuana license. They argued that neither politicians nor voters intended for unborn children to be exposed to medical cannabis when they enacted legislation.

At least five cases similar to Aguilar’s have been dismissed by judges in Kay County in the last year on the grounds that the use of medical cannabis is legal in Oklahoma and that no crimes were committed. Brian Hermanson, the district attorney for Kay County, has filed child neglect charges against many women in the area for drug use during pregnancy, with many of the cases involving medical cannabis. He has filed an appeal in Aguilar’s case as well as one similar to it, arguing that the mothers broke the law by not having their unborn children’s medical cannabis permits.

As these issues are resolved by the courts of law, cannabis companies such as Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) will have more clarity regarding the regulatory nuances that exist within the different marijuana markets in the country.

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420 with CNW — Senator Introduces Legislation to Remove Cannabis Use as Barrier to Federal Jobs

A new piece of legislation has been introduced by Senator Gary Peters (D) that aims to alter the way federal agencies evaluate prior cannabis use when determining eligibility for security clearances and employment. The bill, titled the Dismantling Outdated Obstacles & Barriers to Individual Employment (DOOBIE) Act, was proposed on July 11, 2024.

The measure is designed to ensure that previous cannabis use does not negatively impact a person’s eligibility for federal jobs. Currently, federal law still prohibits cannabis users from federal employment and denies them security clearances because cannabis use and possession are still considered crimes at the federal level.

Despite cannabis being legal for medical use in 38 states and for adult use in 24 states, federal restrictions remain strict. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is currently going through public comments on a proposal to reschedule marijuana as a Schedule 3 substance, which would lessen federal restrictions compared to its current Schedule 1 status, where it is grouped with substances such as cocaine and heroin.

The proposed legislation would prohibit the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) together with executive offices from basing employment appropriateness judgments on an individual’s prior cannabis use. Additionally, it would amend current legislation to ensure that previous cannabis use does not prevent one from obtaining security clearances or credentials for personal identification verification.

The bill explicitly modifies guidelines and definitions to conform to modern perspectives and the legal status of cannabis. It makes changes to the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 Section 3002, eliminating marijuana’s classification as a “controlled substance” for security clearance purposes. Consequently, previous cannabis use would not constitute grounds for federal agencies to refuse security clearances or employment eligibility.

The Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) Office and OPM are tasked with assisting agencies in implementing these changes and making sure their rules conform with the act. The measure seeks to eliminate barriers to government employment for individuals with a history of cannabis use and lessen the stigma attached to its use.

There have long been initiatives to lessen prohibitions on marijuana users applying for federal jobs. Last year, a bipartisan House measure called the CURE Act, coauthored by Nancy Mace (R) and Jamie Raskin (D), proposed amendments to federal law to remove prior cannabis use as a disqualifying factor for federal employment candidates. The CURE Act also sought to ensure that cannabis use would not be a basis for depriving prospective federal employees of security clearances.

A few federal agencies have already started to implement the changes proposed in Peters’ bill. The OPM released guidelines in 2021 that said an applicant for a federal job cannot be denied solely based on prior cannabis use. The ODNI also revised its guidelines to make sure that government workers and contractors cannot have their security clearance denied based solely on prior cannabis use.

The wider cannabis industry, including leading entities such as Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF), hopes that these different reform measures eventually yield tangible changes to the current marijuana policies at the federal level beyond the anticipated reclassification.

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420 with CNW — New Study Reports Patients Say Marijuana More Helpful for Musculoskeletal Pain Than Conventional Medications

A recent study highlights that more than 20% of patients visiting orthopedic surgeons for chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain have turned to marijuana for relief. Among these individuals, nearly two-thirds found marijuana to be somewhat effective, and more than 90% reported at least slight effectiveness.

The study indicates that 57% of patients considered cannabis more effective than other pain medications, with 40% reducing their use of other analgesics since starting cannabis. However, only 26% had cannabis recommended by a physician for their MSK pain.

The most frequently used cannabinoid among the patients was CBD, with 39% favoring it. Another 20% preferred a mix of various cannabinoids, while 23% were unsure about the composition of their marijuana. Interestingly, among nonusers, about 65% expressed interest in trying cannabis for pain management but faced obstacles such as lack of access, knowledge and evidence.

The study, featured in the “Cannabis Research Journal,” did not aim to definitively prove the effectiveness of cannabis in managing MSK pain. Instead, it focused on usage patterns, self-reported effectiveness and barriers to use among nonusers. The cohort consisted of 629 adult patients (18 years of age and older) with chronic MSK pain who visited Toronto Western Hospital for the first time to see an orthopedic surgeon.

According to the report, 72% of those who had previously used marijuana as a pain reliever still did so as part of their treatment plan. The preferred methods of consumption were oils (57%), smoking (36%) and vaporizing (32%). Common side effects reported were dry mouth (43%), lack of motivation (15%) and fatigue (23%), while 39% experienced no side effects. Additionally, many users found cannabis effective for other symptoms, such as headaches (18%), sleep disturbances (44%) and anxiety (26%), although 43% reported no relief for these symptoms.

Patients obtained the products from various sources, including compassion clubs or dispensaries (43%), licensed providers (34%), and relatives and friends (33%). Despite the relief reported, the study found that users often experienced more pain and a broader range of other health issues. However, the researchers did not attribute these conditions to marijuana use, suggesting that those with more severe conditions might seek marijuana as an alternative or additional relief.

In comparison to nonusers, the study found that marijuana users frequently had more comorbid conditions, such as greater rates of depression, more painful body parts and more frequent trips to pain specialists. This implies that the use of cannabis may be a reaction to more intense pain and discontentment with conventional therapies. Additionally, those who used cannabis also frequently took a broader variety of drugs, including opioids, muscle relaxants and antidepressants. This could mean that people looked to cannabis as a backup therapy when other therapies weren’t working.

Chronic pain syndrome was found to be one of the most reliable indicators of cannabis usage, suggesting that individuals with chronic MSK pain frequently feel unsatisfied with traditional therapies and turn to alternative pain-management techniques. But the largest predictor, which more than tenfold increased the risk of utilizing cannabis for pain management, was prior recreational marijuana use.

The authors called for more double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to better understand the effectiveness of cannabis for pain management, acknowledging the potential for a placebo effect.

These views expressed by marijuana users could give medical cannabis companies such as Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) some additional pointers on how to better position their products to serve the needs of these categories of patients.

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420 with CNW — Kentucky Governor Writes to DEA Admin Supporting Federal Marijuana Reform

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recently wrote to Anne Milgram, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator, to voice his backing of the Department of Health and Human Services’ proposal to relax cannabis restrictions. The proposal advocates for moving marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Governor Beshear highlighted that this reclassification would offer patients a safer alternative to harmful opioids, ensuring continued access to reliable products. He also noted that such a move would aid communities in reducing illegal drug use and crime. Additionally, it would level the economic playing field for marijuana businesses and open doors for substantial research opportunities on medical cannabis.

“As a governor, my priority is advancing our state,” Beshear remarked. “Reclassifying cannabis to Schedule 3 is a sensible and crucial step forward for all Kentucky residents, particularly those suffering from serious medical conditions.”

Currently, cannabis is classified as a Schedule 1 substance, which includes substances such as LSD and heroin that are considered to have no recognized medical value. This classification deems marijuana more hazardous than Schedule 2 substances such as Vicodin, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone and methamphetamine.

“However, the evidence is clear: cannabis has medical benefits and is already being used for medical treatments,” Beshear noted in his letter. “This is a widely acknowledged fact, supported by both parties. For instance, I signed a medical cannabis measure into law, which passed with bipartisan support from a Democratic governor and GOP legislative supermajorities.”

The medical cannabis legislation — State Bill 47 — is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Currently, the state is processing grower, producer and dispensary licensing applications in preparation for this change. Previously, only residents who met certain requirements could use small quantities of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

In addition, Beshear highlighted his initiatives to address the opioid issue, which he spearheaded while serving as the state’s attorney general. Compared to previous attorneys general, he filed the most individual opioid claims, which helped the state obtain nearly $900 million from businesses that took advantage of Kentucky communities.

The letter further pointed out that in 2022, opioid use resulted in 80,000 deaths across the United States, while marijuana use caused none. This striking disparity, according to Beshear, is the reason Kentucky’s Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Office of Drug Control Policy all support the reclassification of cannabis.

This endorsement of federal marijuana policy reform by Beshear is likely to be welcomed by the broader cannabis industry and its leading actors, such as Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), since it is a step in the right direction of ending prohibition.

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420 with CNW — Marijuana Companies in Europe Consider Listing in US as Rescheduling Progresses

A number of European marijuana start-ups are thinking about listing in New York due to the anticipated reclassification of marijuana by federal authorities as a less harmful narcotic. Although the companies haven’t finalized their plans, they are drawn to the U.S. market’s increasingly favorable stance on cannabis and CBD products.

Statista estimates that this year’s CBD market might be valued at approximately $6.90 billion.

Under the new U.S. regulations, cannabis may be moved from the highly restrictive Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which also includes LSD, heroin, and fentanyl, to the less restrictive Schedule 3, placing it in the same category as ketamine and anabolic steroids.

This move may encourage many cannabis companies in Europe and the United Kingdom to list on U.S. exchanges rather than European ones, where laws governing CBD products are still very strict. For example, whereas some European nations permit CBD e-liquids, they only allow CBD edibles if approved by the European Food Safety Authority.

Most European nations do not completely ban CBD products but enforce a limit on the quantity of THC, the main psychoactive component of marijuana. Certain nations, including the UK and Sweden, forbid the sale of any CBD products that include THC, while Andorra, Belarus and Albania have complete CBD bans.

Companies including London-based Grow Group and Wellford Medical have stated their intention to go public on NASDAQ early in 2025. Lisbon-based Somai Pharmaceuticals has hinted that it may seek a NASDAQ listing in addition to secondary listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange or the London Stock Exchange.

Despite these developments, federal rules in the United States still prohibit large U.S. marijuana companies, such as Curaleaf, Cresco Labs, Verano Holdings Corp. and Trulieve Cannabis Corp., from listing on U.S. exchanges, including the NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). As a result, many of these businesses choose to trade on Canadian platforms, including the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange. On the other hand, the United States does permit Canadian marijuana companies, such as SNDL and Canopy Growth, to list on its platforms.

A greater number of European and UK companies may choose to relocate from their home markets to the U.S. if cannabis is reclassified, especially given the difficulties major European stock exchanges like the LSE are having keeping up with company growth and IPO activity.

There has been growing pressure on the U.S. federal government to reclassify cannabis due to its medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Products containing CBD oil, including tinctures, lotions and candies, are given to treat pain and other side effects of chemotherapy, in addition to treating anxiety, discomfort and memory issues. Additionally, an increasing number of U.S. states have legalized recreational cannabis.

However, critics counter that marijuana might be toxic and could serve as a gateway drug for more potent substances.

As marijuana companies in Europe prepare to list in the United States, they will find other established companies such as Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) already accessing capital from North American investors, and competition for these resources could tighten even more.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ

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InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (NASDAQ: INM) INM-089, a Promising Treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a disease significantly impacting the quality of life, making it difficult for individuals to perform everyday activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces
InMed is currently developing a pipeline of drugs, like INM-089, to treat diseases with a high unmet medical need
Delivers improved retinal pigment epithelium integrity, neuroprotection and photoreceptor improvement in in vivo preclinical disease model

Age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”) is a prevalent eye condition that primarily affects older adults, leading to vision loss in the central part of the retina, known as the macula. This disease significantly impacts the quality of life, making it difficult for individuals to perform everyday activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. InMed Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: INM), a clinical stage company developing a pipeline of pharmaceutical drug candidates to treat several diseases with a high unmet medical need, is at the forefront of developing innovative treatments for this debilitating condition, with their flagship product INM-089 showing great promise.

AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people aged 50 and older. It comes in two forms: dry AMD, which is more common and less severe, and wet AMD, which is rarer but more severe. The exact cause of AMD is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Results from several in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated several pharmacological effects in the potential treatment of dry AMD. These include:

providing neuroprotection of photoreceptors and improving photoreceptor function
preserving retinal function in the back of the eye
improving integrity of the retinal pigment epithelium (“RPE”)
improve the thickness of “outer nuclear layer” (“ONL”) of the retina where photoreceptors are located (Based on widely accepted ocular research, the thickness of the outer nuclear layer is strongly correlated with photoreceptor preservation and visual acuity.)

INM-089 is also a proprietary small molecule compound acting as a preferential signaling ligand of cannabinoid receptor 1 (“CB1”) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (“CB2”). CB1 and CB2 receptors are both part of the endocannabinoid system that is found throughout the human body and is responsible for many homeostatic functions. CB1 receptors are primarily located in the brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are involved in modulating neuroinflammation and immune responses.

InMed’s commitment to scientific excellence is reflected in its robust pipeline of cannabinoid-based treatments. In addition to INM-089 for AMD, the company is developing therapies for other serious conditions, including dermatological and Alzheimer’s diseases. Their research and development efforts are supported by a team of experienced scientists and industry professionals dedicated to bringing new treatments to market.

As InMed continues to advance INM-089 through pre-clinical studies, the company’s commitment to innovation and patient care remains steadfast. The future looks promising for those affected by AMD, thanks to the pioneering efforts of InMed Pharmaceuticals and their dedication to developing life-changing therapies.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.InMedPharma.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to INM are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/INM

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420 with CNW — Curaleaf, Other MSOs Switching to Hemp-Sourced THC

Curaleaf Holdings had decided to step away from hemp. The New York-based cannabis multistate operator initially ran a hemp farm in Lexington, Kentucky, for its CBD product line starting in 2018. According to its annual filings, Curaleaf terminated its lease, stopped all hemp-related manufacturing and wholesale operations in Kentucky by the end of September last year and listed its assets for sale.

However, Curaleaf recently reentered the hemp business, following a larger cannabis industry trend for licensed businesses. The company introduced a new range of THC-derived hemp products on June 24, 2024, under The Hemp Co. brand.

The hemp-based, shelf-stable intoxication products, including drinks, candy and other items bearing the Curaleaf brand, are legal across 25 state lines and can be purchased online and through well-known retailers such as DoorDash.

Matt Darin, Curaleaf CEO, stated that there wasn’t a single “eureka moment” that influenced the company’s decision. According to him, spending time with legislators in Washington, where Farm Bill 2018 unintentionally legalized a national trade in hemp-derived THC, highlighted a key point: hemp is legal at the federal level, while cannabis is not.

Despite Curaleaf’s strong advocacy for marijuana reform, this legal distinction significantly influenced the company’s strategy. The shift mirrors a broader industry trend of large MSOs embracing hemp.

Curaleaf, as with a lot of big MSOs, is a member of the U.S. Cannabis Council, a D.C.-based lobbying group representing licensed cannabis businesses. The group wrote to federal lawmakers in April urging them to eliminate the loophole in Farm Bill 2018 that allowed hemp-derived cannabinoids to be sold legally across the country. The regulatory change hasn’t happened yet, though.

In response, instead of pushing for stricter regulations on intoxicating hemp products, which face less taxation and regulatory burden than state-legal cannabis, MSOs are entering the hemp market.

Alongside Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, based in Chicago, has granted hemp-derived company Urb a license to use its Incredibles edibles trademark.

Whether more companies will follow this path or focus on opening new recreational markets remains to be seen. For instance, Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) has invested more than $40 million in a recreational cannabis legalization ballot measure in Florida.

Meanwhile, Capitol Hill’s lax attitude toward hemp may be about to change. Representative Mary Miller (R) proposed an amendment in the House version of the Farm Bill in late May that would outlaw THC-containing edible hemp products.

While the GOP-dominated House Committee on Agriculture has progressed with a farm bill draft that includes this prohibition, neither the Democratic-controlled Senate nor the entire House of Representatives have seriously addressed it as of yet. It’s also unclear if Congress will approve a farm bill this year.

For now, the status quo permits the sale of THC products derived from hemp online and across state borders, with some state-specific restrictions. This ongoing opportunity for brand expansion remains highly attractive.

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420 with CNW — Recent Supreme Court Decision Could Impact Marijuana Reclassification

The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to limit the power of federal regulatory agencies has introduced new uncertainty regarding the future of cannabis rescheduling. However, administrative law and policy experts believe that the ambiguity is not expected to hinder the Biden administration’s reclassification process.

In a 6-to-3 decision last Friday, the court ruled that courts are no longer obligated to follow federal agencies’ interpretations of statutes when Congress leaves those interpretations unclear. This ruling effectively ends the Chevron doctrine, named after a 1984 judgment. Historically, courts would defer to regulators as the subject matter experts.

There is speculation about the implication of the Chevron ruling on state-licensed cannabis markets, with questions arising about the future ability of federal agencies to provide nonbinding guidance, such as a new Cole memo. Further, doubts have surfaced regarding the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) authority over intoxicating hemp products such as delta-8 THCA and THC.

Paradoxically, the dependence of courts on the Chevron doctrine has hampered earlier attempts to reschedule cannabis. This reliance enabled the DEA to utilize its own criteria in determining that cannabis did not have a recognized medical use.

However, in the ongoing rescheduling process initiated by President Joseph Biden in 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined in August 2023 that marijuana does have a recognized medical use based on a new two-part standard. Acting on this advice and an opinion from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel, Merrick Garland, the U.S. attorney general, proposed a rule in May to reschedule cannabis in Schedule III of the CSA.

Chief Justice Roberts noted in his 35-page opinion that federal law requires courts to use their own discretion to decide legal disputes rather than relying on administrative bodies to make decisions.

Other concerns regarding the DOJ’s analysis, which suggests that U.S. responsibilities under international treaties prevent rescheduling, are also covered in the ruling decision. There will likely be legal challenges referencing the ruling in regard to the rescheduling process.

It’s unlikely that ongoing legal actions, including one contesting the legality of the federal marijuana ban, will be immediately impacted by the ruling.

According to former Massachusetts state regulator and attorney Shaleen Title, predictions that the verdict could be used to challenge state marijuana legislation regarding licensing or social justice requirements are, at best, speculative. Meanwhile, others suggested that states might adapt their deference policies in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, potentially weakening deference and empowering state courts to set standards for marijuana businesses.

The regulatory landscape for marijuana in the United States is still very much in flux, and leading actors such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) have plenty to digest, ranging from court decisions that set precedents to state and federal regulations, as they work to operate within established legal boundaries while going about their legitimate business activities.

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