Federal Rescheduling is Here: After 10 years

I can't believe I've been on this journey for ten years. Just feels like yesterday I was petitioning the city council in Gold Hill to allow me to open my apothecary that would carry local herbs plus cannabis for OMMP patients as well. We finally opened to the public on June 9th, 2014.  

Flash forward to 2024 and after a decade we can now serve all adults and we still carry 40+ other amazing botanicals from Southern Oregon. On Thursday this week the US Department of Justice, under Biden's direction, submitted a proposed regulation to reschedule cannabis to a schedule 3 drug from a schedule 1 drug under the controlled substances Act. Wow, how times have changed. Not exactly sure what this will mean for Oregon's dispensary program in the next decade or if I can hold on for the ride, but it will be interesting.

We wondered back in 2014 if Obama would legalize or if he would stop Oregon's new dispensary law. The Cole memo gave us some hope that Obama was going to allow states to operate a marijuana program as long as certain conditions were met. Was risky for us to support this wonderful plant, but I saw so many people living a better life because of the plant. I was convinced I was doing the right thing. Obama did not make any further move to legalize or reschedule. Then when he left office I wondered if Trump would work to legalize or reschedule as he was a proponent of individual rights and less regulation for business, but that did not happen. However, he seemed to take the stance that Obama took to allow states to develop their own cannabis programs. Now we are finally seeing some action under the Biden administration. This enormous decision represents a crucial period in federal cannabis policy, finally acknowledging the importance of the plant for our health, the economy, and society in general.

The rescheduling is an unknown for the Oregon cannabis industry.  It's just one step on a long journey that will continue as the nation works out what it means for the cannabis industry, the pharmaceutical industry, small business vs large corporations.  Will there be a place for small family cannabis farms or will big ag take over the production of this medicinal herb that historically has been grown by the people, for the people.  Will small herbal product manufactures like our vary own Sun God Medicinals be able to navigate FDA regulation and cGMP regulations?  In the near future, there will be an opportunity for everyone to provide public comments about the proposed rules.  There will be a lot of voices...I'm hoping Americans will stand up for small family businesses as Oregon once did when forming their recreational program.  I believe in small batch, artisan craft cannabis. Hoping America does as well.  

What I know for sure is that in the next two weeks we will be celebrating a decade of serving Southern Oregon.  A decade of generating taxes for our region, supporting Southern Oregon farmers, and supporting organic and natural plant medicine.  Feels good.  Please come celebrate with us at the Gold Hill store Saturday June 8th.  

Public Statements from Oregon’s Congressional Delegation

• Senator Ron Wyden: “It’s official, the Biden administration has taken a historic step toward ending reefer madness and bringing commonsense to federal cannabis policy. Now it’s time to follow the lead of 24 states and more than half the country by decriminalizing and putting in place smart federal regulations.”
  
• Senator Jeff Merkley: “I pushed the Biden administration to address the harms done by the criminalization of cannabis and move quickly to remove cannabis’ Schedule I status, and it’s great to see this action taken. I will continue to work to fully deschedule cannabis.”
  
• Rep. Earl Blumenauer: “We are one step closer to ending the failed war on drugs. Marijuana was scheduled more than 50 years ago based on stigma, not science. The American people have made clear in state after state that cannabis legalization is inevitable. The Biden-Harris Administration is listening.”
  
• Rep. Suzanne Bonamici: "Rescheduling cannabis is a step in the right direction toward ending a failed war on drugs policy that has ruined too many lives—particularly for Americans from communities of color and low-income communities. I applaud the Biden Administration for this needed action.”
  
• Rep. Val Hoyle: “This historic decision is long overdue! Let's keep the progress rollin' to end the failed War on Drugs by fully descheduling and regulating cannabis.”
  

Here are the official rules and information from the DOJ and White House:
White House Press Briefing on Cannabis Rescheduling
Justice Department Submits Proposed Regulation to Reschedule Marijuana (DOJ Press Release)
DOJ Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking
Office of Legal Counsel Memorandum Regarding Rescheduling Marijuana