A Win For The Cannabis Industry

Pam Bondi has been fired by the President, acting Attorney General will be Todd Blanche taking over for the interim while a next Attorney General is named (potentially Lee Zeldin as some have speculated).

Pam Bondi had been anti cannabis from the start, voting against it many times in the past.  Lee, if appointed and approved by the senate, has a more liberal (not calling him a liberal by any means, but it's **more** liberal, than the previous AG) view on the matter.  Having voted for some medical uses in the past, which is in line with what rescheduling would entail.  This would likely indicate that he's on board with the rescheduling of Cannabis, for a more indepth article pertaining to this matter, please refer to this link from kushtation.co.  I haven't heard of that source before today, so the validity of anything in said article I'm not 100% certain on, and it could be speculation.  However according to his voting record I would say that the article holds some weight.

If this is indeed the case, and Zeldin is appointed and approved by the senate, rescheduling looks to be more on the table than just words and an EO from the President.

This will likely leave the rescheduling in the hands of the DEA Administrator Terry Cole (whom has long since said he will never be for legalization and is known for his "just say no" stance), leading one to believe he could be the next Administration member to be fired, as with that mentality, I find it highly likely he may be trying to delay the rescheduling process as much as possible.  This is not me saying that I believe Pam Bondi was fired for inaction on cannabis rescheduling, however, I do think with the timing of everything (CMS giving guidance on reimbursement in medicare for CBD products, holding multiple CBD meetings with stakeholders today and yesterday) would lead one to believe that could be a reason why this has happened.  

I think another big win for the cannabis industry is that a hearing is set for anti-cannabis advocates found more in depth in this marijuana moment article regarding the CBD coverage under medicare was scheduled for the stoners holiday of 4/20.

I'm looking forward to seeing movement on rescheduling, with hoping that past rumors and speculation of a descheduling commission possibilities could be true.

Will continue to update as I learn more.

Thank you to everyone who checks here periodically for my takes on politics and the cannabis sector, with future plans for focusing a lot on mental health.

-Scott Petheram