The cannabis industry is evolving rapidly, and the conversation surrounding medical marijuana appears to be taking a backseat. While medical marijuana was once central to cannabis reform, it now seems to be receiving less attention compared to the push for adult-use legalization. As new state and federal regulations are being developed, concerns are rising about how medical marijuana will fit into the broader cannabis landscape.
Debra Borchardt, the executive editor and co-founder of Green Market Report, recently shared her insights on this shift in focus. Borchardt, a leading voice in the cannabis industry, attributes the diminishing attention towards medical marijuana to the absence of robust FDA-approved clinical trials. “Medical marijuana will likely stay in the back seat now. Until there are actual FDA-approved Phase 3 studies like we saw with Epidiolex, the group won’t get the attention that it used to receive,” she explained.
The lack of large-scale studies has slowed momentum for medical cannabis, allowing adult-use legalization to take the lead in policy discussions. However, Borchardt also pointed out a troubling trend that could further push medical marijuana out of the spotlight – hemp bans potentially targeting CBD-rich medical products. “There is also some troubling news that medical marijuana, which is typically high-dose CBD type products with light THC, are getting caught up in the hemp bans,” she said.
This overlap between hemp restrictions and medical cannabis could leave patients without access to the products they depend on, particularly since few adult-use cannabis companies are producing similar alternatives.
If medical marijuana continues to be sidelined, the impact on patients could be significant, Borchardt warns. “If that happens, those patients will be dramatically impacted, and few adult-use cannabis companies are creating these products. That is very concerning,” she emphasized.
Looking ahead, Borchardt believes that adult-use cannabis legislation will continue to drive policy changes. However, she expresses concern that without dedicated attention to medical marijuana, crucial issues for patients may go unaddressed.
Whether future regulatory frameworks will carve out space for medical cannabis alongside the expanding adult-use market remains an open question. As policymakers and industry leaders discuss the future of cannabis regulation, Borchardt’s insights underscore the importance of balancing medical and recreational needs. Her upcoming appearance at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference will likely provide a platform for exploring potential solutions for the industry and address the critical concerns surrounding the future of medical marijuana.
