Health officials possibly re-categorizing marijuana restrictions

It’s legal for recreational and medicinal use in New Mexico, and many other states, but there are still restrictions on pot. How does this affect New Mexico?

NICO STARR AND KELSEY MEDINA, US HEALTH REGULATORS ARE CONSIDERING A CHANGE TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON MARIJUANA. REPORTER JULIAN PARIS EXPLAINS WHAT THIS MEANS AND HE JOINS US HERE IN STUDIO. JULIAN. YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT, SASHA. SO SO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RESCHEDULE CANNABIS. NOW, AS IT STANDS, MARIJUANA IS LEGAL IN MANY STATES FOR RECREATIONAL AND MEDICINAL USE, BUT IT IS STILL CATEGORIZED AS A SCHEDULE ONE DRUG, AND THAT MEANS IT’S IN THE SAME GROUP AS DRUGS LIKE LSD, HEROIN AND METH. IF RESCHEDULED, MARIJUANA WOULD FALL UNDER A SCHEDULE THREE GROUP, WHICH WOULD MEAN BEING ON THE SAME LEVEL AS ANABOLIC STEROIDS OR KETAMINE. STATE LEGISLATORS AND CANNABIS BUSINESS OWNERS TELL US WHAT THEIR STANCE IS ON THIS ISSUE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM. I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME MEDICINAL BENEFITS FROM CANNABIS, BUT THE HONEST ANSWER IS WE DO NOT HAVE AN EVIDENCE BASED WAY OF DECLARING THAT AT THIS POINT MARIJUANA IS HERE TO STAY, WHETHER IT’S IN NEW MEXICO OR NEW GUINEA. IT IS HERE TO STAY. AND IT IS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS. SO IF REGULATORS DECIDE TO MAKE A CHANGE LIKE THIS, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT NEW MEXICO CANNABIS AND THE INDUSTRY THAT IT IS? THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED TONIGHT AT TEN A LIVE IN THE STUDIO, JULIAN PORRAS, KOAT ACTION SEVEN NEWS. JULIAN, THANK YOU. ALTHOUGH CANNABIS IS ILLEGAL FOR MEDICINAL AND RECREATIONAL USE HERE IN NEW MEXICO, IT IS STILL ILLEGAL AT T

Health officials possibly re-categorizing marijuana restrictions

It’s legal for recreational and medicinal use in New Mexico, and many other states, but there are still restrictions on pot. How does this affect New Mexico?

It’s been a busy year-and-a-half for the cannabis industry, especially here in New Mexico.More than $350 million have been generated since it’s recreational use has been legalized. Now, the Department of Health & Human Services is recommending to the Drug Enforcement Agency to re-categorize marijuana from a Schedule I drug — which is in the same group as meth and heroine — to a Schedule III — like anabolic steroids.State Senator Gregg Schmedes said, as a surgeon and ranking member of Health & Public Affairs, he’s worried about research involving pediatric cannabis exposure to children and teenagers.On the other side, we have CEO of Smokin’ Dispensaries Rick Granoff who said the medical benefits should be highlighted as well. For those who struggle with anxiety, depression, or even epilepsy, Granoff said cannabis helps individuals like these.How would this affect New Mexico and the cannabis industry here? What would additional changes include, and how long would it take? Those questions will be answered tonight at 10 p.m. on KOAT.

It’s been a busy year-and-a-half for the cannabis industry, especially here in New Mexico.

More than $350 million have been generated since it’s recreational use has been legalized. Now, the Department of Health & Human Services is recommending to the Drug Enforcement Agency to re-categorize marijuana from a Schedule I drug — which is in the same group as meth and heroine — to a Schedule III — like anabolic steroids.

State Senator Gregg Schmedes said, as a surgeon and ranking member of Health & Public Affairs, he’s worried about research involving pediatric cannabis exposure to children and teenagers.

On the other side, we have CEO of Smokin’ Dispensaries Rick Granoff who said the medical benefits should be highlighted as well. For those who struggle with anxiety, depression, or even epilepsy, Granoff said cannabis helps individuals like these.

How would this affect New Mexico and the cannabis industry here? What would additional changes include, and how long would it take? Those questions will be answered tonight at 10 p.m. on KOAT.

 It’s legal for recreational and medicinal use in New Mexico, and many other states, but there are still restrictions on pot. How does this affect New Mexico?  Read More  

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