Analyst Reacts To FDA Commish Comments: Medical And Recreational Cannabis Could Have Separate Regulations
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf‘s Thursday testimony sparked new conversations about the future of cannabis in the U.S. particularly concerning its medical and recreational classifications.
In a recent note, senior analyst Pablo Zuanic from Zuanic & Associates highlights the critical points from Califf’s appearance before the House
Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
Califf’s assertion that “there is no reason for the DEA to delay” the rescheduling of cannabis grabbed headlines, yet Zuanic urges stakeholders to look deeper into the nuances of Califf’s statements, particularly his insights on the bifurcation between medical and recreational cannabis.
Medical Vs. Recreational Cannabis: A Looming Decision
The FDA Commissioner’s differentiation between medical and recreational cannabis suggests an imminent federal pivot towards rescheduling only medical cannabis this year.
“Medical cannabis is one thing when used for proven medical pathways, but then if it is used for recreational purposes there are no medical benefits in that case, and it does not fall into the typical FDA purview of regulations,” Califf explained.
The report suggests that rescheduling might only apply to medical cannabis, with recreational use remaining under state control for …