Connect with us

Cannabis News

DOJ Marijuana Lawsuit Filing Cites Drug Testing Industry And Pharma Company ‘Pocketbook Interests’ In Opposing Rescheduling

Published

3 weeks ago

on

The Justice Department is asking a federal court to stop the marijuana opponents’ request to deny it The Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling proposal advancing among the general lawsuits challenging the reform.

The government’s brief argues drug testing industry association and pharmaceutical company trying to block rescheduling of cannabis “fulfilling pocket interest by keeping all marijuana on schedule I.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia District is handling three separate cases regarding whether cannabis is subject to Schedule I through Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Against moving to the Annex.

A lawsuit is led by a prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and National Drug and Alcohol Screening (NDASA)and they say they are “offended” by the reform. Another comes from a coalition anti-marijuana activists, substance abuse professionals, doctors and a cannabis-focused biopharmaceutical corporation. He filed a third claim Attorneys General of Indiana, Nebraska and Louisiana— although the latter appeared later withdrew from the suit.

Two of the entities involved in the case — NDASA and the cannabis-based biopharmaceutical corporation MMJ International Holdings — filed a separate motion asking the court to stay the reorganization while the broader challenge is considered.

The DOJ responded to that request on Thursday, arguing that the court should not halt cannabis reform because NDASA and MMJ lack standing to bring the challenge and have not “demonstrated a likelihood of success” in the overall lawsuit.

“Applicants are nowhere near meeting the exacting standard of such exceptional relief.”

The government report says NDASA, which represents drug-testing companies, “only cited general speculation about how the reorganization order might affect the drug-testing industry, rather than specific allegations about how the order affected specific members of the association.”

The group argued that its members would lose revenue due to less employer drug testing for marijuana and the “higher costs” required to “determine whether positive results reflect state-licensed medical use.”

But the DOJ says that’s not the government’s problem.

“In addition, NDASA’s feared future injury would result from customers’ decisions to stop testing marijuana altogether or from its members and their customers’ decisions to increase drug testing costs. Petitioners have not demonstrated that it is “foreseeable,” rather than “speculative,” that third parties will choose to use any illegal testing for marijuana. Increasing costs to drug screeners from continued customer testing would be a continuation of their voluntary billing decisions, not in the reprogramming order.”

The government’s report also states that MMJ has also not set out to pursue its review request, stating that it is “not a current market competitor” and without products that have completed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) clinical research process.

“Petitioners do not establish an Article III identification: the association does not identify any concrete harm to any of its members, and the pharmaceutical company does not demonstrate a competitor’s position when it has not yet produced a product authorized to compete on the market. Nor do the petitioners’ alleged injuries fall within the purview of the CSA. The CSA was enacted to provide a permanent source of revenue for drug enforcement to test marijuana, nor to enact the law to protect “market opportunities” to create “cannabinoid-based drugs.” also

The DOJ filing says the drug-testing group and pharmaceutical company are not “adequate challengers” to the marijuana rescheduling movement.

“The intended beneficiaries of the CSA are therefore the United States public and scientists and physicians seeking legitimate access to controlled substances for research and patient treatment. Petitioners are not the intended beneficiaries of the CSA, nor are their interests systematically aligned with those beneficiaries. Petitioners invoke (1) the interests of drug controllers; to avoid cost losses in business; drug testing protocols; and (3) to prevent market competition by a pharmaceutical company (MMJ), therefore, They call the pocket interests that all marijuana is kept in Schedule I.

NDASA and MMJ argued in their stay motion that cannabis is a “dangerous drug that destroys lives,” and asked the court to suspend reform “to avoid the devastating consequences of ballooning marijuana while this case is pending.”

But the government said in its opposition document that “as the reorganization order recognizes, 40 states have already ‘legalized the sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes’.”

“In light of existing state practice, there is no basis to believe that the limited reorganization action here would result in such prejudice in this appeal,” he said.

This week, Two medical marijuana companies filed a motion to intervene in the reconsideration case siding with the government and opposing the prohibition lawsuits.

The evolution of the case is coming The DEA this week began an administrative hearing on the proposed marijuana redistricting government witnesses and lawyers present highlighting the medical uses and relative safety of cannabis opponents, meanwhile, challenge the process by which officials developed the recommendation for reform.

Under an action announced in April by Attorney General Todd Blanche, marijuana products regulated by a state medical cannabis license were immediately changed from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Annex, as well as marijuana products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The ongoing hearing is looking at broader rescheduling of cannabis, including for recreational products.

The challenge to SAM and NDASA’s reconsideration request was signed by attorneys at Torridon Law PLCC, where former US Attorney General William Barr, who led the DOJ during Trump’s first term, is a partner.

SAM announced in January that it was Hiring Barr’s firm to fight cannabis rescheduling After Trump signed an executive order directing officials to quickly complete the process.

Meanwhile, the Appropriations Committee of the Chamber Federal officials voted to block further steps to reschedule cannabis. Bipartisan lawmakers told Marijuana Moment, however don’t expect legislative efforts to block rescheduling to be successful.

Separately, SAM, MMJ and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration’s program. Certain hemp-derived products are covered by Medicare. That the case was dismissed by a federal judge in May, though that decision is being appealed.

Read the full DOJ short in the marijuana reorganization case below:

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Cannabis News

Will the top World Cup expert in the fruit, vegetable, and horticulture sector come from Canada, the U.S. or Belgium?

Published

15 hours ago

on

July 20, 2026

By






FreshPublishers 2026 World Cup Group Stage






The World Cup is coming to an end, with the third-place play-off between France and England on Saturday, and the final between Spain and Argentina the following day. It won’t be long until the grand winner of FreshPublishers’ first World Cup pool is revealed.

© Fresh Publishers

As previously reported, Slim Kooli from Courchesne Laros is the favorite to win the €1,000 prize. He has secured a comfortable lead over Nol Batist of North American Interstate Greenhouse Company, while buyer Bjorn Van Ryckeghem of Deprez Construct is currently in third place.

1 Sim School Spain 1–0 2–1 737 9716
2 Nol Batist France 2–1 1–1 674 9433
3 Bjorn Van Ryckeghem France 2–2 3–1 674 9264
4 Christian Anton Smedshaug England 1–2 1–2 659 9134
5 Perry Springintveld Spain 1–1 2–1 647 9105
6 Willem Tijssen Spain 2–0 2–1 710 9098
7 Hans Borsboom Spain 2–1 2–1 528 9058
8 Bart Triemstra Spain 2–1 2–1 737 9052
9 Youness Bensaid Spain 2–1 1–1 722 8954
10 Vijay Dijkstra Portugal 2–0 2–1 382 8953

However, there have been some surprises during the tournament, and bonus points must be added, so we will keep the suspense a little longer. On Monday we will find out who is the main World Cup announcer in the international fruit, vegetable and horticulture sector…



Publication date:













Continue Reading

Cannabis News

States Move To Let First Responders Use Marijuana And Psychedelics To Treat PTSD

Published

15 hours ago

on

July 20, 2026

By

“When you’re in the fire service, or in any of the first response industries, or especially in the military, things are going to accumulate over time, and what happens is you see a lot of things, crazy things that at least seem normal.”

By Amanda Watford, Stateline

This year more states have looked beyond traditional counseling and medication to help first responders deal with traumatic stress.

Firefighters, police, and emergency medical personnel routinely experience fatal accidents, violent crimes, and other traumatic events that can leave lasting psychological scars.

“When you’re in the fire service, or the first response industry, or especially the military, things just pile up over time, and what happens is you see a lot of things, crazy things that at least seem normal,” said Jason Cerrano, a retired firefighter and paramedic with more than 20 years of experience in Missouri. Cerrano is now director of research and commercial development at IDEX Fire & Safety.

In Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law last month a measure that will create the Post-Traumatic Injuries Commission to review requests from first responders to help cover treatment costs.

Maryland took a different approach this year, enacting a law protecting firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other rescue workers. employment discrimination for the illegal use of medical marijuana outside of work.

The new law, which will take effect in October, applies to medical cannabis patients who test positive for cannabis metabolites but are impaired while working.

Several other states are exploring emerging therapies.

A new Connecticut law expands a pilot program at Yale University studying psilocybin-assisted therapy Allowing any state resident 18 years of age or older to participate, provided they meet clinical eligibility criteria established by the Yale University Institutional Review Board. Previously, the pilot program was limited to veterans, retired first responders and frontline healthcare workers.

Missouri lawmakers advanced a bill allowing veterans and first responders to receive the psychedelics psilocybin and ibogaine in approved research studies. Under medical supervision for PTSD and other mental health conditions. The legislative session adjourned in May before lawmakers sent a bill to the governor.

This story was first published by Stateline.

Image courtesy of Kristie Gianopulos.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Continue Reading

Cannabis News

Standard Wellness expands into Cleveland with dispensary acquisition

Published

2 days ago

on

July 19, 2026

By

Standard Wellness has entered into an agreement with License in the Flats, LLC to enter into definitive agreements to acquire a dispensary license in the Flats following the required regulatory review period. At the end of that period, the company and License in the Flats intend to execute those agreements and then continue to develop the dispensary into a retail location branded The Forest Cleveland.

Following regulatory approval of the change of ownership by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, the new dispensary will become the Company’s first retail location in the city of Cleveland, where the Company is headquartered.

Additionally, the Company announced the divestiture of The Forest Sandusky and The Forest Springfield, its Ohio dispensaries, to Greenlight, again subject to pending regulatory approvals.

“We are excited to expand our presence in the city of Cleveland and serve guests in our hometown,” said Kate Ols, Vice President of Retail for Standard Wellness. “As our business continues to grow, we are focused on building a retail network that will best position us to serve our communities for the long term. At the same time, we are proud of the role our Sandusky and Springfield dispensaries have played in Ohio’s cannabis history, and we are confident that those communities will continue to grow under Greenlight’s leadership.”

Standard Wellness and Greenlight are working closely together to support a smooth transition for staff and guests throughout the transfer process. As established operators in Ohio and Missouri, the companies share a commitment to strengthening the regulated cannabis industry and serving the communities in which they operate.

The new dispensary is expected to serve both local residents and visitors while completing the Company’s Northeast Ohio footprint.

Under Ohio law, a cannabis operator cannot hold more than eight dispensary licenses statewide. The acquisition of the Cleveland license and divestiture of The Forest Sandusky and The Forest Springfield allows Standard Wellness to continue to meet Ohio’s property limits while strategically repositioning its Ohio retail footprint and focusing investments in key markets.

Forest Sandusky and Forest Springfield have played significant roles in the evolution of Ohio’s cannabis industry. Sandusky was the site of the state’s first legal cannabis sale in January 2019, and Springfield became the first part of Ohio’s cannabis industry merger and acquisition transaction when Standard Wellness purchased Pure Ohio Wellness’ dispensary.

For more information:
Standard Wellness Holdings
standardwellness.com/

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2021 The Art of MaryJane Media