A cannabis activist from Iowa is suing the state’s governor based on the argument that the state’s Department of Health has taken too long to request for the federal exemption of the state’s medical marijuana program from the DEA as stipulated in a legislation that was signed in 2020. Carl Olsen claimed that Gov. Kim Reynolds had failed to make sure that the law was effectively carried out, adding that the state should submit a federal exemption request for its medical marijuana program promptly.
Olsen filed the suit in a district court in the state a few days ago.
The law that was signed last year by Reynolds states that the department should request for guarantees from the federal government agencies that provide funding to long-term care and educational facilities that allow staff to administer medical marijuana or patients to possess medical marijuana in compliance with Iowa’s program.
In a report that was released last year, regulators revealed that the department would work on obtaining an exception for marijuana from the DEA, given that marijuana is classified as a schedule 1 substance, to help minimize the conflict between federal and state law. However, since then, the department has not made any progress on the matter, apart from releasing a statement in February this year noting that it was still assessing the best way to proceed.
In 2020, the DEA turned down an exemption request submitted by Olsen. However, he’s hopeful that with the state now formally involved, the result will be different. DEA regulations state that while the agency’s administrator has the power to grant an exemption at their discretion, they are under no obligation to grant an exception to any individual as is otherwise required by the regulations or by law.
Olsen has asked the court to order the governor to execute her role in making sure that a federal exemption request is submitted. The suit notes that failure to do so is contrary to public interest, adding that obtaining a guarantee would help alleviate the severe threat to public safety that is created by approving the establishment of the state’s medical marijuana program without putting in the needed effort to acquire an exemption from federal drug law.
Apart from this development, legislators in Iowa have been looking into different ways to improve upon the current medical cannabis law, with one legislation set to decrease provider and patient fees having already been presented to a subcommittee.
Fortunately for patients in Iowa and elsewhere, a number of entities, including XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT), are conducting clinical trials on drug formulations made from cannabis. If the trials are successful, regulators such as the FDA would approve those drugs for use by patients who need those medicines.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/XPHYF
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.
