EDUCATION + RESEARCH
CATCHING UP WITH ALEXIS BORTELL
UPDATES ON THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT Right now, our case is at the Second Circuit of Appeals, where we won--but the Court has directed us to file a de-scheduling petition with the DEA by the end of the year. The problem is that the DEA has already gone on record that it cannot deschedule cannabis; rather, the DEA is claiming that it can only reclassify cannabis under Schedule II, which would be terrible. Reclassification to Schedule II would likely render all state-legal programs non-compliant under the Controlled Substances Act and thus illegal. All cannabis medications would be subjected to a new regulatory review process with the federal government, raising barriers to access, including reduced supply and substantially increased costs. So, we are moving to extend the time to file the petition until we can file another lawsuit – this one, against the DEA to challenge its conclusion that it cannot deschedule cannabis. Remember, I’m not suing to reschedule cannabis. I’m suing so me and other cannabis patients have the same liberties and freedoms as people who don’t need to or choose not to consume cannabis. Right now, we don’t. 18
