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Pharmaceutical Companies Win Big with Schedule 3 Classification of Cannabis

Published

10 months ago

May 11, 2024

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Pharma wins in Schedule III – De-scheduling is the only way for true Equity!

The Biden Administration has been loudly touting diversity, equity and inclusion as top priorities since taking office, particularly when it comes to cannabis policy reform. However, their recent proposal to reschedule cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance reveals that promoting true equity is far from their primary concern.

For decades, Joe Biden has been cozy with Big Pharma, accepting millions in campaign contributions from drug companies over his long political career. It’s no secret that the pharmaceutical industry vehemently opposes cannabis legalization, as legal weed represents a major threat to their profits from opiate painkillers and other drugs. Pharma much prefers that cannabis remain illegal, or barring that, placed into a restrictive category like Schedule III that they can control and corner the market on.

Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III would allow the drug to be legally prescribed, but with strict controls and oversight from the FDA. This plays right into the hands of major drug companies, who have the resources to navigate the complicated federal approval process and bring cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals to market. Smaller entrepreneurs, especially minorities who have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs, would be largely shut out from participating in the industry.

If the Biden administration truly cared about diversity, equity and inclusion in cannabis, they would push to completely deschedule the plant, rather than shifting it to Schedule III. Descheduling would open up opportunities for a much wider range of individuals and small businesses to enter the legal industry. It would begin to repair the harms of the drug war and create more equitable access.

But Biden has never been a real ally to cannabis reform or racial justice. His proposed rescheduling is a pharma market grab disguised as incremental progress. Allowing a corporate oligopoly to further enrich itself will do nothing to help the marginalized communities who have suffered the most under prohibition. Only full descheduling can pave the way for true equity in the cannabis space. The administration’s “diversity and inclusion” rhetoric around this issue rings completely hollow.

Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III would place it under the strict purview of the FDA, subjecting the industry to onerous regulations and compliance burdens that disadvantage minority small business owners. The costs of operating a Schedule III business are prohibitively high for most entrepreneurs. Companies must navigate an arduous FDA approval process for each cannabis-derived product, which can take years and cost millions of dollars in research and legal fees.

According to a 2017 survey, only 4% of cannabis businesses are owned by African Americans, and less than 2% by Latinos. These numbers are unlikely to improve under a Schedule III system that favors deep-pocketed corporations. Existing minority-owned cannabis businesses, already facing capital access challenges, would struggle immensely to shoulder the regulatory costs of FDA compliance, likely driving many out of business entirely.

Businesses would have to implement robust quality control systems, conduct expensive clinical trials, and maintain meticulous production records to meet FDA standards. The agency’s Good Manufacturing Practices are notoriously difficult to comply with, requiring significant investments in specialized facilities and equipment. Companies would also face extensive labeling and marketing restrictions, with the FDA tightly controlling allowable claims and product information.

While Schedule III substances can be legally prescribed and sold, they are still considered illegal outside of FDA-approved channels. Cannabis would remain a federally illegal substance, with businesses still facing the threat of raids and asset forfeiture. This “Regulatory Prohibition” would likely be weaponized against minority operators, as the drug war has been for decades. Those without the means to fight regulators could find themselves criminalized under the new system.

The pharmaceutical industry, through lobbying and campaign contributions, would inevitably seek to shape the FDA’s cannabis regulations in their favor. This could lead to policies like dosage limits and bans on whole-plant products that benefit patented drugs while hindering small producers. Pharma’s influence would further tilt the playing field against minority owners.

For minority entrepreneurs, the costs of entry and compliance under Schedule III would be backbreaking. Without serious equity initiatives to provide resources and technical assistance, a Schedule III industry would be dominated by Big Pharma and exclude people of color, doing little to repair the injustices of the drug war.

As we debate the future of cannabis policy in America, we must first ask ourselves: why are we even considering legalization in the first place? The answer is clear – it is the will of the people. For over a decade, a steadily growing majority of U.S. citizens have believed that cannabis should be legal. A recent poll found that a staggering 91% of Americans support legalizing medical marijuana, and 7 out of 10 are in favor of recreational legalization as well. The public has spoken, and they have resoundingly rejected the failed policies of prohibition.

So why, then, are we wasting time debating incremental “rescheduling” measures like moving cannabis to Schedule III? The only rational discussion to be having at this point is how to deschedule marijuana entirely and implement full legalization nationwide. Anything less is a slap in the face to the supermajority of Americans who want the freedom to consume cannabis without fear of arrest or stigma.

Activists like RAW Josh on X (formerly Twitter) are absolutely right to be outraged at the suggestion of Schedule III as some kind of victory.

It is not a win for the cannabis community, who have fought for decades to end prohibition entirely. It is not a win for those who have had their lives ruined by the cruel excesses of the Drug War, disproportionately people of color. It is not a win for medical patients, who would still face significant federal restrictions on their medicine. And it is certainly not a win for entrepreneurs and small businesses, who would be steamrolled by the pharmaceutical industry under a Schedule III paradigm.

What Schedule III represents is the iron grip of corporate pharma influence on our political system. It is a calculated maneuver to co-opt the legalization movement and steer the industry into the waiting hands of a few powerful drug companies. Roughly half of the funding of the FDA comes from Pharmaceutical companies through a scheme called “User Fees”. Since Pharma loses roughly $10 billion annually in a region where Medical Cannabis is legal…what do you think happens to these “fees” that the FDA receive.

By maintaining strict federal control over cannabis, the government can pick and choose winners in the market, and rest assured those winners will not be mom-and-pop pot shops or minority-owned startups. They will be the multinational corporations with the lobbying power to write the regulations in their favor.

We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot allow the will of the people to be subverted by special interests yet again. The cannabis community must stand firm and demand nothing less than full descheduling and an end to federal prohibition once and for all. We must reject half-measures like Schedule III that are designed to fail us while enriching a corrupt pharmaceutical industry.

If that means we have to completely overhaul the DEA, or dismantle the incentive structures that allow corporations to buy off politicians, so be it. The war on drugs has been one of the most destructive and wasteful policy failures in American history, and it will not end until we take bold, uncompromising action. The people are ready for change, and we will continue to fight for it, against all odds and all opposition, until our work is finished. Descheduling is the path to justice, to equity, to individual liberty. We cannot settle for anything less.

When it comes to cannabis policy, the sticky bottom line is this: Schedule III is not what activists and advocates have been fighting for all these years. It is a far cry from the full legalization and normalization we seek. As citizens, it is imperative that we make our voices heard on this issue, not just in who we elect as president, but perhaps more importantly, in who we choose to represent us in Congress.

The unfortunate reality is that many of our current elected officials are political dinosaurs, beholden to special interests like Big Pharma who line their campaign coffers with cash. They are out of touch with the will of the people and more concerned with serving their corporate masters than doing what’s right. It is time we vote these compromised individuals out of office and replace them with representatives who will stand up to the pharmaceutical lobby and fight for true cannabis freedom.

What we demand is nothing less than complete descheduling of this miraculous plant. Because that’s what cannabis is at the end of the day – a plant. It is a seed that we can sow into the earth, a gift from nature that grows abundantly without human intervention. For centuries, humans have cultivated cannabis for food, fiber, medicine and spiritual purposes. Who are we to criminalize a plant that has served us so well?

The right to grow our own sustenance and healing herbs is fundamental to our autonomy as free people. Without that right, can we truly call ourselves free? Or are we merely slaves, dependent on the permission of corporations and governments to access the necessities of life? That is the question each of us must ask ourselves as we contemplate the future of cannabis in America.

In the end, the sticky bottom line is a matter of principle. Will we stand up for what we believe in, even in the face of powerful opposition? Will we fight for our sovereignty and self-determination, no matter how long it takes? Or will we compromise our values for the sake of political expediency and allow ourselves to be subjugated by those who seek to control us? The choice is ours to make, and the consequences will be ours to bear. Let us choose wisely, and let us never give up until the battle is won.

MORE ON SCHEDULE 3, READ ON…

THE WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM SCHEDULE 3 CANNABIS!

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Psychedelics Can Help with Which Severe Mental Health Disorders?

Published

1 hour ago

March 18, 2025

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Which Severe Mental Disorders Can Psychedelics Help With?

Severe mental illnesses refer to conditions that leave the patient with significant functional impairment and extreme symptoms. Sometimes, these may include serious symptoms such as psychosis, which can have harmful consequences if they aren’t diagnosed and treated early on.

Common treatments for serious mental health disorders vary; they usually include a combination of somatic and psychotherapeutic treatments. When it comes to medications, these can include antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety medications. Severe cases of depression may require neurofeedback, and other brain stimulation therapies to work. Until now, there is no one-size fits-all solution for mental health disorder treatments; many patients usually find success, if any, in using a combination of therapies for many years – sometimes, for life.

In fact, many patients even develop a tolerance to medications. This can make it difficult to find drugs that work, yet even then, most medications come with unwanted side effects.

But the rise of psychedelic use has brought about promise for those struggling with mental health problems, and their families. No other medication can induce psychological and neurobiological changes the way psychedelics can, thereby improving cognitive function and emotional processing. Psychedelics activate serotonin receptors, enhance neuroplasticity, and disrupt the default mode networks that cause rigid thinking and worsen depression. Because of this, psychedelics are considered a revolutionary treatment for severe mental health conditions that are resistant to treatment.

Check out this list of severe mental health disorders, and how psychedelics can help treat them.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental health disorder that greatly affects the way a person thinks, behaves, and fees. The main symptom of schizophrenia is a serious disconnection and detachment from reality, which can manifest through symptoms of psychosis. These may include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized behavior, and disorganized thinking.

Schizophrenia can be extremely challenging to treat and manage due to many factors, most especially the fact that the symptoms drastically differ from one patient to another. Also, many individuals with this condition don’t respond to conventional treatment.

Many studies have shown that psychedelics are promising for treating schizophrenia and managing its symptoms, allowing patients to regain control and enjoy a better quality of life. That said, it must be acknowledged that small doses of psychedelics are needed because larger doses may have negative effects. Keeping the doses at a clinically accepted low level can induce powerful anti-inflammatory properties especially benefiting patients’ brain function.

Additionally, regulated doses have been found to be well-tolerated and effective in treating several mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, which is notoriously difficult to treat.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder or BPD is a very complex mental health disorder whose hallmark symptoms include unstable relationships, severe emotional dysregulation, and constant impulsive actions. For this reason, it can also be known as emotionally unstable personality disorder. Some severe cases include high suicidal tendencies.

Successful treatment can feel like an uphill battle, as many patients often drop out. It has become critical to develop new treatments for BPD which have less side effects, and are certainly much more effective.

However, some research has pointed to psychedelic therapy. In one study in particular, authors found that MDMA combined with psychotherapy is effective and safe for treating borderline personality disorder. Researchers found that it provides a safe and beneficial alternative even for treating chronic PTSD, a co-occurring disorder of BPD. The researchers also found that MDMA was effective even when administered just twice or thrice during the course of a treatment, whereas psychotropic drugs commonly prescribed in psychiatry often must be taken everyday for a certain period of time.

The treatment, known as MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, is gaining traction for treating other complex mental health disorders as well.

Severe Anxiety Disorders

Severe anxiety disorders significantly impact the daily life, as well as quality of life, of patients. Whereas generalized anxiety disorders may be occasional bouts of anxiety, severe anxiety is intense, persistent, and chronic.

Patients with severe anxiety disorders excessively ruminate and worry about things that often can’t be controlled, even without a trigger. It can manifest physically, such a through hyperventilation, shakes, sweating, and a racing heart. Long term effects include insomnia, headaches, fatigue, and difficulty thinking straight. The severe anxiety is so debilitating that it requires serious and professional interventions for patients to regain their quality of life.

Thankfully, a handful of various psychedelics have shown promising results for treating severe anxiety disorders, even where conventional medications have failed. Psilocybin is one of the most widely studied psychedelics for treating chronic anxiety; studies show that it has long-lasting results in anxiety management, with excellent results observed months even after the last treatment.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), or also known as acid, has also been widely studied for mental health disorders especially anxiety. According to studies, LSD can enhance cognitive flexibility and reduce anxiety scores especially when used in psychotherapy. As a result, patients can break rigid mental thought patterns that can influence anxiety-driven behaviors. LSD interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, such as 5-HT1A and many others, which help regulate mood and reduce anxious behaviors.

MDMA’s potential for treating anxiety and other mental health disorders likewise continues to grow. Patients who struggle with anxiety show positive responses to MDMA; it has been shown to strengthen emotional processing while improving the coping mechanisms of patients. Also known by its street drug names molly or ecstasy, MDMA works well in modulating neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These all play an important role in regulating one’s emotions and improve overall mood.

CONCLUSION

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health disorders and would like to experiment with psychedelics, it’s always recommended to do so in a clinical setting. These are not conditions wherein self-medicating is advisable, because of the harmful side effects of taking too much or too little, as well as the potential interactions of psychedelics with other medications.

Therapy sessions in a controlled environment is the best, safest way to medicate with psychedelics for severe mental health disorders. Reach out to a medical professional to get started, but do your own research.

PSYCHEDELICS FOR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, READ ON..

PSYCHEDELICS WITHOUT TRIPPING, A MENTAL HEALTH BREAKTHROUGH?

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How Worried Should You Be about Schizophrenia and Psychosis if You Smoke Weed?

Published

3 days ago

March 15, 2025

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Should You Really Be Worried About Schizophrenia and Psychosis If You Smoke Weed?

Occasionally, a study on cannabis and schizophrenia or psychosis makes its way to the internet and becomes viral for a few weeks. It gets republished and circulated across numerous news channels and social media sites, spreading often unnecessarily alarming news and fear-mongering.

So what’s the truth behind it? Should you really worry about developing schizophrenia and psychosis if you smoke weed?

Let’s get the facts sorted first.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, cognitive distortion, trouble thinking straight, and lack of motivation. Extreme cases of schizophrenia can also lead to episodes of psychosis or delusion, which is what occurs when an individual can no longer tell the difference between reality and fiction. Being severely disconnected from reality can occur among patients of schizophrenia and psychosis, but these can be caused by a wide range of physical or mental conditions.

What Causes Schizophrenia?

There is no one known cause for schizophrenia, though several environmental and genetic factors can contribute to its symptoms. It’s also known to run in families, so if someone in your family tree has had schizophrenia, it’s important to practice caution when using drugs and alcohol.

Certain environmental triggers can cause psychotic or schizophrenic episodes, particularly going through extremely stressful life events. Stressful environments, such as fast-paced cities, may also trigger symptoms. Other factors include the experience of childhood trauma, or certain changes in brain chemistry.

Cannabis: Treatment Or Cause?

The symptoms of schizophrenia can be managed or reduced through the use of antipsychotic medications, which are typically the first line of defense for this condition. First-generation antipsychotics, such as Chlorpromazine, Perphenazine, and Fluphenazine, are examples of widely-used schizophrenia treatments. Second-generation antipsychotic treatments include Aripiprazole, Lurasidone, Clozapine, Quetiapine, and several others. In some occasions, doctors may also prescribe antidepressants if antipsychotic drugs don’t help with the depressive episodes that may be associated with schizophrenia.

However, many antipsychotic medications come with unwanted side effects. They commonly include sexual dysfunction, weight gain, sedation, heart problems, difficulty urinating, and many more.

The use of cannabis-based medications for treating the symptoms of schizophrenia has been gaining traction in the medical and scientific community over the past few years. That said, we must differentiate the compounds used in cannabis because we can’t generalize all the compounds in the plant and its effects on the human body. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in marijuana, and cannabidiol (CBD), a relaxing, non-psychoactive compound, both work differently in the human body.

What The Research Says

Several studies have shown that CBD could be promising for treating and even mitigating the symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis. This is especially true if the condition is in its early stages.

For example, in a review conducted in 2021, scientists found that CBD may be beneficial in adjusting the levels of different brain chemicals which have been associated with symptoms of psychosis. One of these is anandamide – and the study found that CBD can increase its levels in the brain.

Anandamide is an endocannabinoid, and it’s believed to help reduce psychotic episodes through several mechanisms in the brain. For one, high levels of anandamide have been observed as successful in mitigating acute cases of schizophrenia.

Meanwhile, another review discovered minor albeit significant evidence that CBD could possibly reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia when administered in high doses. In the review, the researchers noted that 800 mg of CBD were given to patients over the course of 4 weeks. The results were similar to those yielded by amisulpride, an antipsychotic drug which is used in the treatment of psychosis. A similar trial found that 1,000 mg of CBD given to patients over 6 weeks was effective in reducing schizophrenia symptoms.

The results of a 2024 clinical trial also found that CBD was successful in mitigating the symptoms of patients who were at high risk for psychosis. For the study, there were 31 patients involved; they were given either 600 mg of CBD or a placebo everyday for 3 weeks. However, they weren’t given any prescription drugs during the course of the study. Researchers analyzed their baseline at 7 and then again at 21 days.

“Short-term treatment with CBD can ameliorate the symptoms of CHR state for psychosis and is well tolerated. These results highlight the potential of CBD as a novel treatment for psychosis, and the need for large-scale efficacy studies to further evaluate its clinical utility,” concluded the study’s authors.

So Who Needs To Worry About Schizophrenia and Cannabis Use?

Smoking pot won’t make you go psychotic. It doesn’t cause schizophrenia per se.

That said, those with pre-existing mental health conditions must tread lightly and be very cautious when it comes to using high THC products. In other words, if you already have a family history of schizophrenia or have had a history of psychotic episodes, THC may not be the medicine or recreational drug for you. Individuals with bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, or other similar personality and mood disorders with a tendency to have episodes of psychosis should first seek out medical attention.

Products containing high levels of THC may not be recommended in these situations, though CBD may help reduce symptoms. If you aren’t sure, it’s always best to consult with your medical provider.

Conclusion

Even if there is promising evidence that CBD can be beneficial for schizophrenia, we must be careful not to consider it as a substitute for any kind of medical treatment. There are many different types of cannabis products out there but there isn’t one-size-fits-all solution for mental health disorders. So while most people wouldn’t have a problem smoking weed, there is a small subset of the population as mentioned earlier – who do have to be careful.

PSYCHOSIS AND WEED, WHAT WE KNOW…

NO INCREASE IN PSYCHOSIS WITH LEGALIZATION NEW STUDY FINDS!

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What are Cannabis Dissolvables? Are These Products Trendy, or are They Worth Trying?

Published

3 days ago

March 15, 2025

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What are Cannabis Dissolvables? Are These Products Trendy, or are They Worth Trying?

For cannabis enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with consumption in an array of forms, or even for medical marijuana patients who simply want to look for the most convenient way to medicate, we’re spoiled with choices these days.

From vaping to smoking, edibles and beverages, tinctures, topicals, pills, and suppositories, there’s a way to medicate for everyone. But recently, a new way to consume marijuana has had some people talking: cannabis dissolvables! You might have heard about them as dissolvable cannabis powder or THC powder; these revolutionary powders are manufactured with cannabinoids and designed to be mixed into your food or drink. Upon consumption, you can enjoy the effects of cannabis within minutes.

But they work just like edibles, then, don’t they?

Nope!

Dissolvable cannabis powders are known for their fast-acting effects, which means that you can expect to feel the impact of the cannabinoids within minutes of consuming it in your food and drink. That’s because cannabis powders are water-soluble, allowing almost immediate absorption of the cannabinoids in your bloodstream. On the other hand, edibles can sometimes take up to 90 minute to take effect.

Why You Should Try Dissolvable Cannabis Powders

There are several reasons why you should give dissolvables a try:

There are odorless and flavorless options in the market: Marijuana dissolvable powders that are neutrally flavored make it a breeze to add to your favorite drinks and food, without worrying about altering its flavor. Gone are the days when you’d be surprised by the often-undesirable flavors of supplement powders; now with flavorless cannabis powders, you can easily medicate while still enjoying the taste of your favorite food and drinks.

Smoothies, baked goods, juices, coffee, and oatmeal are just some examples of common items you can easily add THC powders to. That said, you can also find flavored options in the market if that’s what you prefer.

High bioavailability: Cannabis powders are formulated to be absorbed efficiently. This way, your body can metabolize and absorb all or most of the cannabinoids in the product. Thanks to enhanced absorption, you can maximize the benefits of the cannabinoids.

Accurate dosing: For consumers who prioritize precision dosing in cannabis, powders are superior when it comes to this. Getting an accurate dose is so easy, since packets are already pre-measured. Meanwhile, powders can also easily be measured using a spoon. This offers total control over how much you’re ingesting, which is particularly important for medical users who require consistent dosing for symptom relief.

Discretion: When you add cannabis powders to your food or beverages, they don’t have that notorious smell that cannabis smoke is known for. Because they are either odorless or have a neutral odor, there’s no need to worry that taking it out and mixing it into a drink will alert people around you.

Low or no calories: Most cannabis powders have little to no calories, so it’s a healthy choice for calorie-conscious individuals. Whether you are looking to make a healthier choice or simply want to experiment with cannabis formulations in the kitchen, dissolvable cannabis powders are an easy way to do so.

What Conditions Can Cannabis Powders Help With?

While dissolvable cannabis can benefit all patients, cannabis powders have a particular advantage for patients of certain conditions:

Nausea and vomiting: Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, or recovering from eating disorders, may find that medicating with cannabis simply through food and drink is an efficient way to medicate. These conditions make it difficult to keep nutrients down due to the constant urge to vomit, but that makes it even more important to eat – in order to have the necessary vitamins and minerals to recover. Mixing cannabis powders in water or juices provides a gentle alternative to medicating and keeping food down.

Pain: Fast-acting cannabis works so well for pain relief. If you suffer from chronic pain and rely on cannabis for symptom relief, you can explore using cannabis powders. Thanks to its excellent bioavailability and quick results, there’s no need to wait several minutes to feel better. Powder can interact with the endocannabinoid system fast in order to reduce inflammation within minutes and positively affect the pain perception pathways.

Insomnia and sleep problems: Cannabis is an excellent natural medication for treating insomnia and other sleep problems. This is especially true if symptoms from another condition can cause difficulty falling or staying asleep, such as pain or general discomfort caused by inflammatory conditions. Consuming cannabis powders a few minutes before bedtime can help you hit two birds with one stone: enjoy relief from your symptoms, while easing into a comfortable state of sleep.

Anxiety relief: Many cannabis drink mixes are made with CBD, which provides excellent relief from anxiety. Start your day with a healthy dose of CBD to mitigate anxiety, and help you get through the day with some peace of mind.

In addition, many powder mixes are also formulated with other healthy ingredients. These vary from one product to another, and may include electrolytes, functional ingredients, hemp, terpenes, and other cannabinoids.

Conclusion

Dissolvable cannabis powders are innovative, but they are also accessible and inclusive, offering a convenient way to medicate. Whether you are a recreational cannabis consumer or a medical marijuana patient, the benefits of cannabis dissolvable powders are endless. Check out your neighborhood dispensary to explore dissolvable cannabis and share with us your favorite way to consume it.