FDA Commissioner Robert Califf is urging the DEA to promptly reevaluate the classification of marijuana

Summary

• FDA Commissioner Robert Califf is urging the DEA to promptly reevaluate the classification of marijuana.
• He emphasized the need for a well-defined regulatory framework for cannabis within his lifetime.
• Representative Nancy Mace questioned Commissioner Califf about the timeline for reclassification during a session with the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.
• Califf clarified that the FDA can only make recommendations, and the final decision rests with the DEA.
• He also acknowledged the complexity of the matter, given the dominance of state regulations in this area.
• Representative Mace raised concerns about the lack of regulation surrounding hemp-derived intoxicants.

The New Hampshire legislative body has recently passed a groundbreaking bill geared toward the legalization and regulation of marijuana within the state. The bill, sponsored by Representative Erica Layon (R), is now making its way to the Senate, but it faces opposition for not adhering to a government-operated model favored by Governor Chris Sununu (R).

Despite the Senate’s resistance, mainly from Senator Daryl Abbas (R), who insists on a state-monitored franchise system for retail stores, Representative Layon has been diligently campaigning for her original proposal. Her version was retained by House legislators with some modifications, while rejecting a comprehensive amendment proposing a franchise model.

The bill, known as HB 1633, has garnered enough support in the House to pass with a notable 239–136 vote after preliminary approval in February and subsequent scrutiny by the Finance Committee.

“I am confident in the merits of this bill and believe it’s time for us to proceed with the vote,” Layon urged her peers. “The Senate will then have the chance to address it as needed.”

The passage of this legislation in the Senate is surrounded by uncertainty. Senators could introduce substantial amendments, approve the bill as submitted by the House, or completely dismiss it.

Should the bill become law in its present state, it entails the establishment of 15 retail marijuana stores across New Hampshire and a 10 percent tax on recreational marijuana sales, exempting medical marijuana.

Layon has described her vision of an ‘agency store’ model that mandates private businesses with limited licenses to comply with regulations set by the Liquor Commission that extend beyond the typical scope of government regulatory responsibilities. She has openly cautioned that a state-run operation or a detailed franchise system could lead to federal interference or legal challenges, putting the state’s fiscal security at risk.

Reflecting on the most recent amendments, Layon pointed out, “This latest edition holds true to the desired robust control within the agency model, but operational rules would be determined through administrative processes, allowing for public discourse. Additionally, it does not influence pricing decisions.”

The compelling narrative of marijuana legislation in New Hampshire continues to unfold as stakeholders await the Senate’s next move in this pivotal legal reformation.