This week, we cover the White House review of new FDA cannabis research guidelines, Biden’s support of cannabis research as part of his new disability plan, Berner’s take on the looting of his dispensary, Cookies; and MedMen’s condemnation of looting and nationwide closure.
Additionally, we will cover the tangible effects and policy changes resulting from the Black Lives Matter movement.
New Cannabis Research Guidance From FDA Under Review By White House
In a new development of the FDA’s approach to cannabis, the organization submitted a draft for cannabis research policies to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The draft reportedly outlines the FDA’s goal to use cannabis research to develop its guidelines for cannabis, specifically CBD.
Hopes are that the policies coming from research will allow CBD to be marketed as dietary supplements and food products.
While details about the document are currently lacking, the move furthers a months-long FDA struggle that has brought strong criticisms.
In January, the FDA announced that it would publish cannabis research guidance by the end of the year.
Since then, the organization has failed to make significant progress in making good on their promise. All the while, the FDA has continued to levy lawsuits against numerous companies for marketing their CBD products.
The root of the lawsuits (and the impending CBD guidance) is the marketing of CBD products as dietary supplements.
The FDA warned that, although it hasn’t finalized its stance on CBD, it will take action against companies marketing it.
In response, many companies have successfully convinced federal judges to stay the class action suits.
These judges claim that the FDA cannot complete these suits until they finalize their stance on CBD.
These decisions embolden ongoing frustrations with the FDA’s inability to establish clear policies in the wake of CBD’s federal legalization.
Berner Addresses Looting Of His Dispensaries, Claiming “Justice Is More Important“
Berner, a famous rapper-turned-cannabis-entrepreneur, went on the record regarding the looting of his popular LA dispensary, Cookies.
During the ongoing protests in Los Angeles, videos show that looters forcefully entered Cookies, stealing a significant amount of product.
Shortly after the looting incident, Berner took to social media to speak out on the event.
In his response, Berner refrained from condemning the looters, choosing instead to highlight the importance of the BLM movement.
“It’s extremely unfortunate what happened to our store tonight on Melrose,” Berner said. “But as a human living in the world we’re living in today, I cannot expect anything less until justice is served.”
Berner went on to say that, while he can rebuild the store, “you cannot bring someone back to life.”
Berner claims that he had six armed guards stationed at his storefront. However, he told them that they were not to be violent toward protestors.
“I don’t want to see anyone die,” Berner said. “I told everyone to stand down.”
Biden’s New Disability Plan Includes A Boost To Cannabis Research
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden recently announced a new disability plan as part of his presidential platform.
Biden claims that the plan will “ensure people with disabilities have a voice in their government.”
As part of this plan, the ability to research cannabis will receive a long-needed boost.
“A Biden Administration will prioritize the research needed to advance science-based federal policies related to the use of marijuana,” the plan states.
This move is one in several that show Biden attempting to reconcile his ongoing refusal to support federal cannabis legalization.
Biden consistently points to a “lack of research” as the key reason that he does not support federal legalization. This announcement seems to be a direct attempt to address this lack of cannabis research.
The issue of cannabis legalization has plagued Biden’s campaign from the beginning. The trouble started with Biden claiming during a debate that cannabis is a “gateway drug.”
Since then, Biden has struggled to satisfy cannabis advocates despite numerous efforts to garner their favor.
Biden has included cannabis as a key component of a criminal justice task force, as well as showing support for cannabis decriminalization and automatic expungements for past convictions.
Research indicates that ⅔ of Americans and 80% of democrats support cannabis legalization. Given this, Biden has a great incentive to appease cannabis advocates.
However, it remains to be seen if his continued efforts to do so will prove successful.
MedMen Closes Dispensaries And Decries Looting In Internal Memo
Following multiple looting incidents, MedMen announced that it will be temporarily closing down its dispensaries.
In an internal memo, the company strongly condemned incidents of looting that occurred following the murder of George Floyd by Minnesota police officers.
In Los Angeles, several MedMen dispensaries experienced incidents of looting. Specifically, their locations in downtown LA, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills were targeted.
“Effective immediately, we are temporarily closing all stores and the corporate office,” the memo states. They claim the move is in the interest of “protect[ing] the safety of our employees.”
“The safety of everyone in the MedMen family is the most important thing right now,” the memo states. The memo also went on to clarify that no employees or security guards were harmed during the lootings.
The memo went on to condemn the lootings, claiming there is “a bright line” between peaceful protesting and looting.
“We do not know what goes through the mind of those that would promote violence or destruction,” the memo states.
MedMen claims it will continue to pay its employees during the closures. However, MedMen has not specified the extent to which this will be the case.
The tone of MedMen’s memo is in direct contrast with that of other cannabis companies, many of which have shown empathy for the outrage causing incidents of looting rather than condemning looters for their behavior.
BLM Protest Updates
The United States is currently experiencing a surge of activism and protesting resulting from the murder of George Floyd by Minnesota police officers.
Protesters are taking to the streets across the country to systemic reform against police violence.
What follows is a list of actions taken as a response to the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement.
- All four officers involved in George Floyd’s murder are facing charges. Former officer Chauvin faces a second-degree murder charge, while his accomplices face charges of aiding and abetting.
- Lawmakers initiated a bipartisan effort to shut down a pentagon program that transfers surplus military equipment to police departments.
- Louisville Police Chief Steve Conrad was fired following the police shooting of an unarmed black man at a BBQ restaurant.
- 6 Atlanta police officers are facing charges of excessive force following a violent incident with protestors.
- San Francisco initiated a resolution that will prevent the hiring of police officers with a history of misconduct.
- The Marines Corps banned the presence of the confederate flag on its military bases and operational facilities. This includes the depiction of the flag in privately owned possessions.
- Denver PD fired an officer following social media statements supporting violence against protesters.
- Portland superintendent discontinues the presence of police in Portland schools.
- Mayor De Blasio vowed to cut NYPD funding to bolster funding for social services.
- Los Angeles Mayor slashed over $100 million in funding for the LAPD.
- Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced a bill in congress that would terminate qualified immunity for police officers. Qualified immunity protects officers from civil suits.
