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The governor of Colorado has the same question as many marijuana reform advocates: When will the federal government complete its review into cannabis scheduling that President Joe Biden directed last year?<\/p>\n
In a video message played at a National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) Colorado Cannabis Caucus event on Wednesday, Gov. Jared Polis (D) talked about his state\u2019s historic vote to legalize adult-use marijuana more than 10 years ago, emphasizing that work still needs to be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the years, we\u2019ve laid that foundation and continued honing the process to make sure our industry is the very best in the world,\u201d Polis said. \u201cWe continue this work. Just because Colorado was the first doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019re content to rest on our laurels. We need to continue pursuing new boundaries and work to ensure we remain competitive with every other market following in our footsteps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Notably, the governor also said that continuing to push for federal legalization is key, and that his administration has reached out to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to inquire about the timeline for the agency\u2019s review into federal marijuana scheduling.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt every step, states\u2014alongside industry\u2014have been leading the way on this. We all know that federal action must be taken to create a far more effective successful landscape for the industry,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve been outspoken about my support for federal legalization in conversations with the White House, the [Food and Drug Administration] and members of Congress about the importance and the urgency of this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve also asked Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra for a timeline on rescheduling, and we expect to continue to be part of these conversations,\u201d Polis said.<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s a question on the minds of many reform advocates. Biden has made much of the scheduling review, but agencies involved in that process haven\u2019t offered much beyond saying that it would be completed \u201cexpeditiously.\u201d<\/p>\n
Becerra\u2019s department is leading the medical and scientific review of marijuana\u2019s effects that will shape the Department of Justice\u2019s ultimate decision on whether or not to reschedule cannabis.<\/p>\n
In the video message to NCIA, Polis said that \u201cwe know that there\u2019s a lot more work to do,\u201d including on banking access issues for cannabis businesses and when it comes to equity in the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to continue working to help cannabis businesses and entrepreneurs thrive,\u201d he said. \u201cThe future of cannabis in Colorado is bright. I look forward to working alongside you to make sure that our system remains the very best ecosystem for innovation in the cannabis sector in the entire world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The governor was set to appear in person at the NCIA event when it was initially scheduled for last month, but it ended up getting postponed due to weather. The governor couldn\u2019t make it to the rescheduled gathering this week in person, so he instead sent the prepared video to be played for attendees.<\/p>\n
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