Stop Schedule III rescheduling of Cannabis
Stephen Blackburn
Vice President
Professional Cannabis Association
The Implications of Classifying Cannabis as a Schedule III Substance: A Concern for Big Pharma Control
Introduction The Biden/Harris administration has recommended that cannabis be moved to schedule III status. Big Pharmaceutical and health care professionals have donated over $50,000,000.00 to ensure that cannabis is moved to schedule III. The classification of cannabis as a Schedule III substance raises significant concerns about the potential implications for both patient and veteran access, and the control of its use by pharmaceutical companies. While some argue that this reclassification would legitimize cannabis as a medical treatment, it also opens the door for large pharmaceutical companies to monopolize its production and distribution. This paper explores the risks and ramifications of Schedule III classification for cannabis, focusing on the impact on patients, the market, and the role of Big Pharma.
1. The Risk of Pharmaceutical Control Reclassifying cannabis as Schedule III would likely lead to increased regulation and oversight, creating an environment in which large pharmaceutical companies could dominate the market. This control could limit the availability of cannabis products, increase prices, and restrict the variety of strains and formulations available to patients. The commodification of cannabis may prioritize profits over patient and Veteran well-being, undermining the plant’s medicinal benefits.
2. Stricter Regulations and Access Limitations If cannabis were to be classified as Schedule III, it would be subject to more stringent regulations regarding prescription and distribution. Patients and Veterans may face additional hurdles in obtaining cannabis, including the need for prescriptions from healthcare providers who may not be well-versed in cannabis therapy. This could create barriers that ultimately restrict access for those who need it most.
3. Potential for Increased Costs to Patients and Veterans The transition to Schedule III could lead to higher prices for cannabis products, as pharmaceutical companies may dominate the market with synthetic alternatives. Veterans and Patients, who often live on fixed incomes or may struggle with the costs of medical care, could find it increasingly difficult to afford cannabis. This economic barrier could limit their ability to access necessary treatments for conditions such as PTSD, chronic pain, problems sleeping, stress, etc.
4. Loss of Autonomy in Treatment Choices A Schedule III classification might also limit patient and Veteran autonomy in choosing their treatment options. With cannabis becoming a regulated pharmaceutical product, patients and Veterans could be forced into a system that prioritizes pharmaceutical interventions over natural remedies. This could diminish the ability of patients to make informed choices about their care based on personal preferences and experiences.
5. The Role of Research and Development While pharmaceutical companies often invest in research and development, their focus is typically on patentable products. This could lead to the creation of synthetic or heavily processed cannabis derivatives, sidelining the whole plant. The genuine therapeutic potential of cannabis in its natural form may be overlooked in favor of profit-driven motives, potentially limiting the understanding of its full medicinal benefits.
6. Impact of Pharmaceutical Regulation If cannabis is classified as Schedule III, it may lead to an influx of large pharmaceutical companies entering the market, potentially pushing out smaller businesses. These corporations often have the resources to navigate complex regulatory environments, while smaller operators may struggle to keep up. Schedule III would require medicine made from the plant to go through FDA clinical trials. All stages of FDA clinical trials total around $50 million dollars per product. Big pharmaceutical companies have the financial resources to pay for these clinical trials, while small businesses who have paved the way in this emerging industry do not. This could result in significant job losses as independent businesses are forced to close or scale back operations. Estimates suggest that up to 440,000 jobs could be at risk if cannabis is regulated in a manner that favors large pharmaceutical companies over smaller, independent cannabis businesses.
7. Schedule III is Still a Felony The possession of a schedule III drug without a prescription is still a felony. It’s no different then a schedule I drug when it comes to the consequences of being caught without a prescription. There is still the very real risk of imprisonment, loss of income, loss of parental rights, etc. Nobody should have to risk jail for a plant.
8. Schedule III allows Big Pharma to enter the Industry and Ruin the Medicine With cannabis being a schedule I drug, Big Pharma has not been able to enter the industry and corrupt the medicine. This is due to Big Pharma receiving federal tax dollars in the form of grants and subsidies, and the risk of losing those grants and subsidies by dealing with a schedule I substance. Schedule III would remove those barriers for Big Pharma and allow them to deal with the plant. They would corrupt everything good about the medicine.
Conclusion While the reclassification of cannabis as Schedule III may offer certain regulatory benefits, it poses significant risks regarding the control of the cannabis market by Big Pharma. Ensuring that patient and Veteran access and choice are preserved should remain a priority in discussions surrounding cannabis legislation. The future of cannabis use for medicinal purposes should focus on empowering patients and veterans rather than replacing their choices with corporate interests. We maintain the opinion that cannabis should either be maintained at a Schedule I status, or that the plant needs to be totally descheduled and the FDA be kept away from it all together. If the FDA is involved then that means that Big Pharma money influences the FDA’s decisions on the subject. This is never the best thing for patients and Veterans,