On Monday, Scott Gottlieb, the former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, said that the federal government should be given the authority to regulate states’ marijuana programs.
In a CNBC appearance, Scott Gottlieb said that the increase in vaping related lung illnesses calls for the need of a federal regulatory system that would give the agencies power to enforce industry standards on all facets of the legal cannabis market such as the potency of THC and the proper methods of consumption.
Although the official was previously not clear on the extent of federal government involvement citing that the vaping problems are due to conflicts between the state and federal laws– he did not say which would be his preferred policy fix. However, last week in a Wall Street Journal editorial, he provided some clarification by saying that federal drug scheduling laws for marijuana should be reformed to offer limited regulations and promote more research on cannabis.
During a TV interview, Gottlieb said that enforcing marijuana prohibition is not politically practicable anymore and that Congress should approve a federal law that allows the enactment of appropriate supervision by the regulatory authorities.
Although he is not in support of the legalization of recreational marijuana and if possible he would like it to shut down completely, the reality of the situation is that many states have already legalized it; thus, any federal system formed would have to accommodate recreational cannabis.
When he was asked if all the states would be in a position to implement all the regulations he has proposed, Gottlieb said no, because some states do not have the capacity nor the resources to control what is being sold in their legal dispensaries as well as shutting down the black market.
He said that for this to be possible, federal authorities are a necessity.
The regulatory model Gottlieb is envisioning is one where the FDA and agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration could control the potency of the products, the manufacturing process, the ingredients, and the purpose for which the products are made.
Gottlieb further added that by federalizing marijuana and allowing recreational consumption, they would be in a position where they can limit the types of cannabis products being sold, their potency, and the forms in which it can be consumed. However, he still thinks vaping products should be banned.
He said that the federal agencies should enact strict measures on medical cannabis while holding them to a higher standard and allowing recreational use of the product with lower concentrations of THC, which poses less harm that vaping e-liquids.
He concludes by saying that compromising is right where you allow some form of recreational consumption of marijuana, which is in low concentration in the states allowing it instead of leaving it as it is today where there are no federal laws governing marijuana in those state-legal markets.
Industry analysts believe that companies like VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) and The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) could be seeing lots of sense in the proposals of the former FDA chief.
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 a 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
