Question asks if ‘medical’ CBD with higher levels of THC should be permitted when prescribed by a doctor.

 

The state of Tennessee is among those still trying to work out how to integrate cannabis products into the market. Senator Kerry Roberts recently released a Legislative Survey asking citizens to offer their opinions on legalizing CBD with higher levels of THC or marijuana.

The survey reads: “Cannabis oils (CBD) are legal in Tennessee. CBD oils generally contain only trace amounts of THC, the chemical that creates the high in marijuana, but some advocates want to legalize CBD or marijuana with THC for pain relief or other benefits. Should Tennessee legalize ‘medical’ CBD or marijuana with higher amounts of THC to be dispensed under a doctor’s supervision?”

The legal landscape surrounding cannabis has been quite fluid for the past few years. The 2014 Farm Bill launched pilot programs for hemp, and the 2018 Farm Bill made it legal for farmers in all states and tribes to grow industrial hemp under state and tribal programs. The legislation classified hemp as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol).

THC is the chemical responsible for marijuana’s infamous high, but hemp produces this chemical at reduced levels. Due to this, hemp and its extracts won’t give you a psychoactive high.

The hemp and CBD sector quickly flourished once industrial hemp became legal, but the industry was barely regulated and it was hurting the farmers and consumers. Enter October 2019, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture published the interim final rule on hemp, finally giving the sector a more comprehensive regulatory structure.

According to anecdotal evidence, CBD is packed with potent medicinal properties, and it is capable of managing the symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, and chronic pain. Though there have been a few studies looking into these claims, most of the therapeutic claims are unproven, and the FDA has forbidden companies from advertising CBD products as medicinal products.

The only researched and clinically tried medical benefit concerns seizures. In June 2018, the FDA approved a CBD-based drug called Epidiolex to manage seizures in two rare and hard to treat pediatric epilepsies, Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

The senator told local media outlets that it is essential for him to know the options and postings of his constituents on the issue.  “This year’s survey covers a variety of topics and only takes a couple of minutes to complete. With the response I’m receiving. I should have a good idea of where Robertson County folks stand on the issues. I look forward to sharing the results after people have a chance to respond.”

Industry watchers think that companies, such as HTC Extraction Systems (TSX.V: HTC) (OTCQB: HTPRF), linked to the cannabidiol industry would love to see all lawmakers taking the pulse of their voters and then making decisions that reflect the wishes of those voters.