News

Press Release Issued:
IASIC Opposes the Removal of Cannabis from Schedule 1

BURLINGTON, Vermont – June 25, 2024 – The International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis (IASIC) released its official statement against the proposed rescheduling of Cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act:

As physicians and concerned citizens of the United States of America, the International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis believes that re-scheduling will have immediate and irreparable harm to the public health and vehemently oppose the removal of cannabis from Schedule 1. Specific objections include (1) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) inappropriately changed the definition of currently acceptable medical use (CAMU); (2) Even under the new definition, cannabis still does not meet the requirements for CAMU; (3) Proper regulation of cannabis as a schedule 3 drug cannot be achieved while non-medical cannabis commerce is allowed.

“HHS and those who are pushing rescheduling of cannabis are unaware or ignoring the huge amount of science on the medical harms of cannabis. There is zero benefit and only problems to be had from rescheduling,” said Eric A. Voth, MD, FACP, President and Chairman of the Board, The International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis.

An official request for a hearing with the DEA has been submitted by IASIC during the current open comment period, with its leadership urging the presentation of medical and scientific research from its physician-driven organization of international experts on cannabis.

IASIC has provided substantial education and background on the impending harm of the proposed rescheduling in its monthly speaker series on June 11th as well as on the High Truths on Drugs and Addiction podcast with episode #182: High Truths on Drugs and Addiction on Rescheduling of Marijuana with IASIC.

Effects of U.S. State Medical Cannabis Laws on Treatment of Chronic Non cancer Pain

Background: State medical cannabis laws may lead patients with chronic noncancer pain to substitute cannabis in place ofprescription opioid or clinical guideline-concordant nonopioid prescription pain medications or procedures. Objective: To assess the effects of state medical cannabis laws on the receipt of prescription opioids, nonopioid prescription painmedications, and procedures for chronic noncancer pain. Design: Using

Read More »

Placebo Effect a Major Driver of Pain Reduction in Cannabis Trials

A strong placebo response may be largely responsible for the significant pain reduction observed in clinical trials of cannabis-based therapies, results of a new meta-analysis suggest. Investigators found that while the effect size of cannabinoids on pain intensity was significant, the placebo effect was about the same. “The data from the present meta-analysis, including 1459

Read More »

Effect of Medical Marijuana Card Ownership on Pain, Insomnia, and Affective Disorder Symptoms in Adults

Key Points Question  What are the risks and benefits of obtaining a medical marijuana card for adults who seek medical marijuana for pain, insomnia, and anxiety or depressive symptoms? Findings  In this randomized clinical trial involving 186 participants, immediate acquisition of a medical marijuana card increased the incidence and severity of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and resulted

Read More »

Marijuana Legalization and Opioid Deaths

Over the last two decades there has been considerable movement at the state-level to legalize marijuana, initially for medical purposes and more recently for recreational consumption. Despite prior research, it is unclear how, if at all, these policies are related to rates of opioid-involved overdose deaths, which have trended rapidly upwards over time and represent

Read More »

Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana Confirmed In Connecticut, Eyed In Dozens Of Overdoses

Health officials in Connecticut issued a warning about fentanyl-laced marijuana, which is being eyed in a rash of overdoses throughout the state. Since July, 39 overdoses requiring the use of naloxone for revival have been reported. In each case, the person involved said they had only smoked marijuana, but officials said they exhibited opioid symptoms.

Read More »

Case Reports on the Failure of Smoking Marijuana to Prevent Relapse to Use of Opiates in Adolescents/Young Adults With Opiate Use Disorder

Case Reports on the Failure of Smoking Marijuana to Prevent Relapse to Use of Opiates in Adolescents/Young Adults With Opiate Use Disorder Twenty-six adolescent/young adult patients with opioid use disorder smoked marijuana in an attempt to avoid relapse to opiate use. In each case, smoking marijuana increased cravings and urges for opiates and promoted opiate

Read More »

General risks of harm with cannabinoids, cannabis, and cannabis-based medicine possibly relevant to patients receiving these for pain management: an overview of systematic reviews

The growing demand for improved pain treatments together with expanding legalization of, and access to, cannabinoids, cannabis, and cannabis-based medicines has intensified the focus on risk–benefit considerations in pain management. Given limited harms data from analgesic clinical trials, we conducted an overview of systematic reviews focused on all harms possibly relevant to patients receiving cannabinoids

Read More »

General risks of harm with cannabinoids, cannabis, and cannabis-based medicine possibly relevant to patients receiving these for pain management: an overview of systematic reviews

The growing demand for improved pain treatments together with expanding legalization of, and access to, cannabinoids, cannabis, and cannabis-based medicines has intensified the focus on risk–benefit considerations in pain management. Given limited harms data from analgesic clinical trials, we conducted an overview of systematic reviews focused on all harms possibly relevant to patients receiving cannabinoids

Read More »

Listen to podcast High Truths on Drugs and Addiction on your favorite platform. ​Hightruth.com

Most Recent News

Libby Stuyt Interview on Randy Tobler show

Exciting News! Libby Stuyt’s Interview on Randy Tobler Show! Hey everyone, we wanted to share some thrilling news! The brilliant Dr. Libby Stuyt recently had an enlightening interview on Randy Tobler Show. Dr. Stuyt is known for her groundbreaking work in the field of addiction medicine and mental health. Her insights are nothing short of

Read More »

Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies

Introduction Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids, of which Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol are the most clinically relevant. Tetrahydrocannabinol is a partial agonist at CB1 and binds CB2 receptors. CB1 is widely expressed by central and peripheral neurones but also by immune cells and other type of cells in the brain and in the periphery, and when

Read More »

IASIC Speaker Series Presents: Case Report on Cannabis-Induced Acute Encephalopathy in Elderly After Taking CBD

The International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis (IASIC) is excited to present the IASIC Speaker Series. Presented free of charge, this ongoing educational seminar series will focus on the science, data and peer-reviewed research surrounding marijuana and will be led by international medical experts. This non-partisan and non-political series is continually developed,

Read More »
Scroll to Top