Cannabis News
Top Veterans Group Warns Congress That Hemp Ban Could ‘Slam The Door Shut’ On Medical Research
A leading veterans’ organization has warned congressional leaders that a newly approved blanket ban on consumable hemp products could inadvertently “close the door” on critical research.
In a letter to House and Senate leaders on Wednesday, American Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) executives stressed the importance of “supporting robust scientific research into hemp-derived cannabinoids,” which they said could be at risk. President Donald Trump has signed provisions of a spending bill into law.
Hemp-based cannabinoid products “can offer a real alternative to heavy prescription drugs, so many of our veterans prescribe them for PTSD, anxiety, pain and sleep problems,” wrote the VFW’s Carol Whitmore and Dan West.
“Every day, doctors dispense powerful sedatives and psychoactive drugs to help veterans cope. They work for some, but they’re too hooked, numb, or dealing with brutal side effects,” they wrote. “We’ve all seen good men and women get caught in a cycle of pills that dull the pain but don’t fix the problem.”
“It’s time to explore safer options. Early research on certain hemp compounds suggests they can manage symptoms and reduce physical pain without the risk of addiction,” the letter says, citing recent research showing that hemp-derived cannabinoids improve PTSD symptoms and may be an effective alternative treatment for pain and anxiety.
“This is not evidence of a miracle cure, just clear signs that we should continue to study. But broad movements to ‘close the hemp loophole’ could close the door. A blanket ban on hemp cannabinoids would make it nearly impossible for researchers and (US Department of Veterans Affairs) hospitals to examine the rules by which even small businesses that have legally acquired these compounds are acting legally. Seriously, it would drive veterans seeking relief into black market junk, making things more dangerous. making it not safer.”
The VFW said it is not promoting “wild, unregulated products or recreational use,” but instead “is calling for smart policy: protect the public, but don’t kill research.”
“Let science do its job, regulate what’s proven safe, and give veterans every legitimate tool available to reclaim their lives,” the letter says. “Our veterans have earned the best care we can give them. We urge Congress to take a balanced approach that protects consumers, promotes research, and gives veterans hope for safer alternatives.”
In the last month, The VFW announced that it has entered into a first-of-its-kind partnership with hemp THC beverage company Torch Drinkswith a licensed branding agreement to support various veterans services and promote cannabis beverages as a potential alternative to alcohol. In addition to the brand licensing agreement, the cannabis beverages will be available at VFW posts across the country in jurisdictions where they are locally legal.
Debate over the current appropriations bill’s hemp ban has been fueled by some who believe recriminalizing cannabis products will alleviate public health concerns, particularly regarding youth access to unregulated markets, and others who insist Congress should address the challenges by enacting regulations, including age requirements and testing requirements.
Many hemp participants argue that a ban would effectively wipe out the industry, even if enforced Non-toxic CBD products that people use for medical reasons— There is a hidden hope that they can reach an agreement with the legislators before the ban is implemented next year.
Lawmakers like Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) also say the window could allow them to advance legislation to create an alternative regulatory model for consumer hemp products.
There were Attempts by GOP lawmakers in both chambers to kill the hemp ban provision. But amendments proposed by Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) were not included in the final package.
On the Senate side, Paul was joined by 22 Democrats, and especially Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) anti-marijuana: voting against the motion to introduce the amendment to avoid the ban, but was eventually overturned by the majority.
Massie tried to revive momentum in the House with an amendment mirroring Paul’s, but its chances of passage were dubious at best, as there was general agreement within the Republican caucus that the spending bill could return to the Senate without further changes.
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Since 2018, cannabis products have been considered legal hemp if they contain less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC by dry weight.
The new legislation specifies that, within a year of taking effect, the weight will be applied to total THC—including delta-8 and other isomers. Also, “as tetrahydrocannabinol (or any other marketed cannabinoid) with similar effects in humans or animals (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services).”
The new definition of legal hemp will also prohibit “any hemp-derived cannabinoid intermediate product marketed or sold as an end product or directly to an end consumer for personal or home use” as well as products containing cannabinoids that are synthesized or manufactured outside of the cannabis plant or are unable to produce it naturally.
Legal hemp products will be limited to a total of 0.4 milligrams of total THC or any other cannabinoid with similar effects per container.
Within 90 days of the bill’s passage, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies must “publish a list of all cannabinoids known to the FDA to be naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant, as reflected in the peer-reviewed literature,” which include “all tetrahydrocannabinol classes known” in natural plants and “known cannabinoids.” cannabinoids that have or are marketed as having effects similar to cannabinoids of the tetrahydrocannabinol class.
The language differs slightly from provisions in legislation advanced out of the House and Senate Appropriations panels, which would have banned products with “quantifiable” amounts of THC, to be determined by the HHS secretary and the agriculture secretary.
Meanwhile, advocates are strongly criticizing congressional leaders for advancing a spending bill ahead of Veterans Day on Tuesday, which also omits bipartisan provisions. Allowing the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe medical cannabis to doctors to patients in states where it is legal—although the policy was approved by the full Senate and House earlier this year.
Read about the VFWs the letter To Congress on the hemp ban below:
Brendan Cleak’s photo.
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Over the past week, many news organizations have been running exaggerated headlines about a supposed change by the federal government to allow marijuana to be brought into airports and airplanes. But it’s not true, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) tells Marijuana Moment.
“TSA’s policy on medical marijuana has not changed,” a TSA spokeswoman said in an email Wednesday.
“According to the TSA website: If any illegal substance or evidence of criminal activity is found during the security screening, TSA will refer the matter to law enforcement,” they said. While it’s true that the agency’s list of medical marijuana “What can I bring?” section of its website was updated on April 27, there were no major changes in policy.
Currently, the website says “Yes,” passengers can carry medical marijuana in carry-on and checked bags with special instructions. But the TSA cannabis policy has said “Yes” to medical marijuana, with the same caveats, since 2019.
Read more at Marijuana Moment
Cannabis News
Alabama Officials Move To Delay Automatic Rescheduling Of Marijuana Under State Law Following Trump’s Federal Move
California officials are making additional reforms to help the state’s marijuana businesses take advantage of federal tax and other benefits under the Trump administration’s redistricting move.
Specifically, the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) proposed emergency regulations on Monday to allow companies with current licenses that use both medical and adult marijuana to secure a secondary license through a simplified process to separate the segments of their operations, as federal planning changes currently only cover medical cannabis.
Under the DCC’s proposal, marijuana companies could “create a second entity and hold two separate licenses (one for adult use and one for medicinal use) on the same premises” under the expedited regulations.
“DCC is working to make this pathway available due to the timing and uncertainty of the federal process,” the department said. “Additional operational components (such as tracking and tracing requirements, local permitting, tax collection, and other implementation issues) are still being evaluated and will be addressed through future guidance or rulemaking as needed.”
Read more at Marijuana Moment
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