As we discussed in a prior posting, U.S.-based hemp production took a giant leap forward with passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which directed USDA to establish a regulatory framework for the production of “hemp” as defined in that law. USDA had signaled its intent to …
Yes, FDA’s upcoming public hearing on cannabis is important – and if you registered in time to get a spot in the room, we’ll see you there. But as stated in the agency’s Federal Register notice announcing the hearing, “FDA does not intend for this hearing …
We sometimes use the term “act of Congress” when referring to something that is difficult or requires large effort to achieve. But, as nothing else has worked, a real act of Congress may be required to compel the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) to issue marijuana …
We previously posted about what the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (commonly referred to as the Farm Bill) did, and did not, do with respect to “hemp” and CBD products derived from hemp. In that post, we noted that the Farm Bill did not preempt …
In a rare display of bipartisanship in Washington, Congress has passed, and the President has signed, the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. The agricultural legislation is far-ranging, but its most significant aspect from a controlled substance perspective is that it removes “hemp” as defined in the …
Last week during the 34th annual National Association of State Controlled Substances Authorities (“NASCSA”) conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. (“HP&M”) Director Larry Houck was honored with the organization’s 2018 President’s Award. NASCSA provides a forum for state, federal and local regulators, …
We previously blogged on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) rescheduling of Epidiolex. In that blog we highlighted that further action by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) and the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (“CND”) could further affect scheduling of cannabidiol (“CBD”) and cannabis in the …
In a much-anticipated action since the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved Epidiolex, G.W. Pharma’s oral cannabidiol (“CBD”) solution for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndrome, today the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) issued a Final Order placing “FDA-approved drugs that contain …
In the words of the inimitable Yogi Berra: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Last month the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) proposed significant reductions of Schedule II opioid pain medication quantities to be manufactured …
Federal law continues to prohibit the possession, cultivation or distribution of marijuana and prohibits operating a business for these purposes. A number of states continue to follow Federal law and prohibit the use of marijuana under any circumstance, but a growing majority of other states …
Last month we reported that the Hemp Industries Association (“HIA”) petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to block the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA’s”) implementation of its recent final rule on marijuana extracts. On February 6, 2017, HIA filed another action with …
Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA) has introduced two bills that would remove federal roadblocks to marihuana and cannabidiol (“CBD”) access by patients for legitimate medical purposes in states that allow such access. (We use the spelling of “marihuana” that appears in the federal Controlled Substances Act …
The Hemp Industries Association has filed a Petition for Review in the Ninth Circuit to block implementation of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA’s”) recent final rule on Marijuana extracts. The DEA final rule designates non-psychoactive cannabinoids, including cannabidiol, as “marihuana extract” and adds all cannabinoids, …
By John A. Gilbert, Jr. & Larry K. Houck – This is third in a series of in-depth reviews of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA’s”) and other federal agencies’ recent decisions/notices on marijuana and industrial hemp issued on August 12, 2016. Previously, we reviewed DEA’s policy …
By John A. Gilbert, Jr. & Larry K. Houck – We previously summarized (here and here) the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA’s”) recent actions related to marijuana and reviewed DEA’s notice that it will expand the number of marijuana cultivators for research. Today we analyze DEA’s denial …
