During a press briefing in Sacramento last week, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra revealed his intention to provide President Joe Biden with a federal marijuana scheduling decision within this calendar year. Becerra acknowledged the agencies’ concerted efforts to swiftly complete the administrative review.

While previous statements emphasized the urgency of the marijuana review initiated by the president last year, the specific timeline remained unclear. Now Becerra has unveiled his target for fulfilling the president’s directive.

The FDA is evaluating marijuana scientifically through eight different processes under the authority of HHS. The goal is to establish if the substance should be descheduled, rescheduled or kept in Schedule I, which is a classification reserved for substances that are subject to the strictest regulations under the CSA.

Becerra emphasized the collaborative approach of HHS and other agencies, such as the DEA, in striving for an evidence-based response aligned with scientific findings. He expressed optimism about reaching a conclusion relatively soon, ideally this year. Although not a precise deadline, this is the most detailed timetable given by a senior government official, offering valuable insight into the secretary’s expectations for the following six months.

After HHS completes its study, it will send a scheduling suggestion to the DEA, which has the last say regarding the matter. The DEA can choose to ignore the resulting suggestion even if the scientific conclusions of the health agency are admissible in court.

Several legislators, including Congressional Progressive Caucus members and Barbara Lee, cochair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, have joined cannabis supporters in pressing the Biden administration to speed up the scheduling review procedure. At the same time, these lawmakers are pursuing incremental reforms such as marijuana banking.

BOWL PAC founder Justin Strekal emphasized the importance of marijuana descheduling to accomplish the Biden administration’s stated objectives, which include matters such as reestablishing the legitimacy of the law and addressing racial justice.

Becerra acknowledges that the completion of the schedule review by his department is of great public interest. Prioritizing safety and efficacy as guiding principles, he stated in March that action needed to be taken quickly while acknowledging the several stages necessary before deciding.

More than a dozen members of Congress from both parties called for transparency in the cannabis scheduling review in a letter delivered in March to Becerra and Merrick Garland, the U.S. Attorney General. The letter emphasized that Biden’s directive gives a chance to evaluate the causes and effects of federal policy rigorously. It noted the significance of acknowledging marijuana’s current status as a state-regulated narcotic and how scheduling marijuana was motivated by stigma rather than research.

Garland stated during a March Senate hearing that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is still drafting its marijuana policy in anticipation of the findings of the scientific assessment conducted by health agencies.

Many entities, such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), are likely to take an interest in how the scheduling review pans out since it could have far-reaching effects on marijuana as a substance of interest and how its derivatives are used.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.

The legalization of cannabis in Canada has had a notable effect on the interaction between young citizens and law enforcement, as per recent data released earlier this spring. The findings, published in the “Drug and Alcohol Dependence” journal in April, revealed that the country’s marijuana legislation, which has been in place for five years, resulted in a significant decrease in reported cannabis-related offenses among individuals aged 12 to 17, regardless of gender.

By examining police records from Jan. 1, 2015, to Dec. 31, 2021, researchers affiliated with the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto discovered a substantial decline in daily incidents for both young males and females. Among young females, there was a notable 62.1% reduction, equating to 4.04 daily incidents. In the case of young males, the daily offenses decreased by 53% to 12.42.

Canada’s Cannabis Act, which officially took effect in October 2018, legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults aged 18 and above. The researchers concluded that the impact of the Cannabis Act on diminishing marijuana-related offenses among young individuals persists over time, aligning with the act’s primary goal of reducing criminalization associated with cannabis use among youth and its subsequent effects on the Canadian justice system.

The researchers also observed that the legalization of cannabis showed no discernible link to patterns of property crimes or violent offenses.

NORML, in its report, quoted the researchers as stating that the Cannabis Act had led to substantial and consistent reductions of approximately 50% to 60% in cannabis-related criminal incidents reported by young males and females over a span of about three years following legalization.

The researchers asserted that these findings demonstrate the benefits associated with implementing the Cannabis Act, given the negative social and individual-level consequences of young people’s involvement with law enforcement and the criminal justice system due to cannabis-related offenses.

Additionally, the researchers had previously reported that the Canadian Cannabis Act of 2018, which allowed youth to possess up to 5 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent for personal use or sharing, resulted in a short-term (76 days) reduction in police-reported, cannabis-related crimes among youth.

These findings align with another study published in “Drug and Alcohol Dependence,” which demonstrated that the legalization of recreational marijuana use and cannabis sales in Canada did not contribute to an increase in motor vehicle accidents.

Similarly, a 2021 study produced analogous results, revealing no significant changes in traffic-related injuries or emergency department visits among drivers, including youth, following the implementation of the Cannabis Act.

The concerns about the possibility of cannabis legalization leading to increased crime rates or higher rates of incidents between the youth and police seem largely unfounded as the studies above show. Attitudes about marijuana are likely to improve even more once the THC-formulations by companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) hit the market after obtaining the approval of the FDA.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.

The legalization of adult-use cannabis in Massachusetts has led to an increase in individuals exploring the world of cannabis. However, amid this experimentation, there can be an undesirable and unexpected aspect to the experience: the unending high.

A dynamic duo consisting of a mother and her son, both from Boston, may have stumbled upon a potential solution, aptly named Soft Landing. Eli, the son and a recent graduate from Cornell University, describes Soft Landing as a unique twist on the traditional edible. While typical edibles bring about an intoxicating effect through THC, Soft Landing aims to counteract this by providing a calming influence.

Stoloff became aware of the need for such a product during his time at Cornell, where he heard stories of fellow students consuming edibles with no easy way to come down from the intense high. “The delayed effects of edibles are the cause,” he said. “You consume a gummy bear, wait patiently for 10 minutes, feel nothing, and then consume two more. An hour later, you find yourself on your bathroom floor, bewildered and disoriented.”

To address this issue, Stoloff and his mother, Alice Stone, embarked on a journey to develop a chocolate bar that would grant marijuana users greater control over their high. Stone, an entrepreneur with expertise in alternative healing methods, stumbled upon a medical journal article describing a naturally occurring molecule present in various herbs and spices. This molecule exhibited the potential to counteract the effects of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.

“After extensive experimentation and fine-tuning,” Stoloff explains, “we managed to formulate the optimal delivery method for this molecule, ensuring maximum efficacy.”

Subsequently, Soft Landing underwent a medical survey, revealing that 80% of participants rated it as “effective” or “very effective.” This positive response caught the attention of Sean Hope, cofounder of Yamba Market in Cambridge, who has now become an investor in the venture. Hope personally tested the chocolate and shared his experience. “It truly brought about a sense of balance within me,” he said. “The impact was immediate. I can confidently say that this product works. . . . I am convinced that we have a winning product here, and together, we are unstoppable.”

Looking ahead, Soft Landing is on the verge of entering the consumer market and actively seeking further investors to expand production and meet the growing demand.

For the individuals who will have access to the THC-based formulations made by companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), there will be no risk of getting “high.” These companies are making offerings that meet strict FDA requirements so that patients can reap the benefits of the cannabinoid without being intoxicated by their medication.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.

Marijuana testing is currently one of the most controversial matters in the employment market. While a majority of states have passed cannabis policies that allow residents to purchase and use either medical or recreational cannabis, the plant is still illegal at the federal level. As such, certain employers choose to or are required to run regular drug tests to ensure their employees are always drug-free.

With millions of Americans now granted access to legal cannabis, the differences between federal and state laws were bound to have repercussions that would affect tons of employees.

A recent report from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has revealed that truck drivers overwhelmingly support cannabis testing reforms. The trucking industry has been dealing with driver shortages due to strict drug-testing policies that have reduced the pool of drivers who are eligible for employment.

In March 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a summary report noting that 10,276 commercial truck drivers had tested positive for THC compared to 31,085 positive drivers during the previous year, and 29,511 in 2020. Even though the American Trucking Association stated in 2021 that lower wages and an influx in retirements were responsible for the driver shortage, the recent increase in positive cannabis tests is also contributing.

In the recent ATRI report, titled “Impacts of Marijuana Legalization on the Trucking Industry,” the transportation research institute reviewed cannabis research, data on cannabis use and highway safety, and trends in legalization. The report also summarized the hiring and workforce implications of cannabis legalization on the trucking industry, taking a closer look at the opinions of carriers and truck drivers on cannabis reform.

According to the report, data from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse shows that more than 100,00 drivers tested positive for marijuana metabolites and were excused from duty from 2020 to 2022. The report also noted that 60.1% of carriers reported an increase in the number of walk-outs and positive pre-employment cannabis tests over the past half-decade. In addition, it notes that with the shortage of truck drivers in recent years averaging 65,000 to 80,000, the drivers removed due to cannabis use are definitely contributing to the shortages.

Federal cannabis prohibition presents a “potential disincentive” for truck drivers, and loosening marijuana testing rules could expand the employee pool and make trucking more attractive to drivers. The report showed that 62% of carriers said that the industry needed to change its federal drug testing policies, with 65.4% saying the cannabis use test should be replaced with a cannabis impairment test, and 40.9% of carriers stated that they were still concerned about impaired driving.

It is possible that a notable number of truckers who test positive for marijuana use the substance for medical reasons, and it is unfortunate that such people lose their jobs as a result. The work being done by entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) to come up with pharmaceutical-grade therapeutics from marijuana compounds could help such individuals manage their health conditions without putting their jobs at risk.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.

Last week, activists filed lawsuits against Montana Governor Greg Gianforte’s decision to veto legislation that shed light on how the state allocated taxes realized from the sale of recreational cannabis. One of the lawsuits was filed by the Montana Association of Counties while the other one was filed by the Montana Wildlife Federation and Wild Montana.

The latter lawsuit requests that a Helena district court judge declare the governor’s veto of the measure void, unless and until both the secretary of state and Gov. Gianforte ask legislators their stand on whether to override the governor’s decision on the last day of this legislative session. Lawmakers can override this veto with a majority vote of two-thirds.

The lawsuit calls attention to the fact that while the governor does possess constitutional authority to veto the measure, he cannot exercise this authority with regard to this particular bill or any other for that matter if it interferes with the constitutional authority of the legislature to override said veto.

On May 1, 2023, the measure in question, SB 442, was approved in the senate by a 48 to 1 vote. The measure, which was sponsored by Senator Mike Lang, proposed that taxes imposed on the sale of recreational cannabis be divided between the general fund, conservation and recreation programs, addiction treatment and veterans services, and county road construction and maintenance.

On May 2, 2023, Gianforte vetoed the measure, arguing that it made the state responsible for things under the jurisdiction of local authorities, thus creating a slippery slope. The governor also disagreed with the fact that the legislation directed cannabis revenues to different accounts. The veto was read right before Senate Majority Leader Pat Flowers adjourned the Senate, which made it impossible for the legislature to override it.

This timing left the measure in a state of uncertainty, with the plaintiffs arguing that Gianforte’s veto wasn’t formally communicated to the senate, which made it invalid. For a veto poll to be issued now that the legislature is fully out of session, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has to receive the veto memo and the measure from the office of the governor. At the moment, this hasn’t been done, despite insistence from Wild Montana attorneys.

In both lawsuits, the plaintiffs argue that failing to fix this situation by issuing a poll to override the governor’s veto would create a loophole that could be used in the future to steer clear of veto overrides.

As these moves to reform cannabis laws in Montana are taking place, a different situation is unfolding in the realm of the medical use of marijuana. Several enterprises, including IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), are making strides forward in their bids to commercialize THC-derived formulations. Once these are approved by the FDA, offerings from these companies will be available to patients through the medical system in and outside the United States.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.