International
USA: Lawyer forces government to publish documents on the reclassification of cannabis
The US government was ordered by the court to release documents related to the assessment of the legal status of cannabis and its reclassification, following a lawsuit brought by Texas lawyer Matthew Zorn. The document, with 252 pages, officially proves that health authorities recommended the inclusion of cannabis in List III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA, or controlled substances legislation). Just like Cannareporter I had already reported in August last year, Department of Health and Human Services – HHS, highlighted the “accepted medicinal use” of cannabis in the United States and its “lower abuse potential” compared to Schedules I and II substances.
It is a historic moment that was born from the hobby of a lawyer from Houston, Texas. The lawsuit was filed by lawyer Matthew Zorn, who manages the substack community Ondrugs with Shane Pennington, following a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Zorn released all documentation, including a letter sent to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram in which the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health stated that “cannabis meets Schedule III control criteria.”
Zorn's litigation with the US government was successful and brought to light documentation that officially proves, for the first time, that health authorities recommended to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) for the inclusion of cannabis in Schedule III of the CSA. The United States government was ordered by the court to reveal a substantial amount of documents related to the ongoing review of the legal status of cannabis, which appears to be increasingly nearest.
The 252 documents, released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provide a detailed look at the “accepted medical use” of cannabis in the United States, emphasizing its therapeutic potential and recognizing a “lower abuse potential,” as well as lower dependence potential compared to substances that are present in Lists I and II.
This confirmation of the Schedule III recommendation highlights a potential shift in U.S. drug policy, indicating a growing acceptance of the medical use of cannabis. The impact of this decision has yet to be fully understood, especially as the DEA is expected to make a statement in the meantime. However, this situation suggests positive developments in the legal framework for cannabis in the near future.
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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may appear in other languages.]
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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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I am one of the directors of CannaReporter, which I founded together with Laura Ramos. I am from the unique Island of Madeira, where I currently reside. While I was in Lisbon at FCUL studying Physical Engineering, I became involved in the national hemp and cannabis scene and participated in several associations, some of which I am still a member of. I follow the global industry and especially legislative advances regarding the different uses of cannabis.
I can be contacted by email at joao.costa@cannareporter.eu
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