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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is questioning the many medical benefits that some marijuana companies have claimed (like anti-tumor effects in cancer patients).

Can they do that?

As Gottlieb said, “It’s a much broader question about where our responsibility is to step into this and start to ask questions about the claims that are being made…” 

This was in response to queries from Congressman Buddy Carter who said he feels the federal government is “putting their head in the sand” about the number of states who are beginning to allow medical cannabis.

But really, as something that is not federally legal, is it the FDA’s responsibility to get into this kind of testing? Even if it was, would it be something that the Feds could do without bias? These are the kinds of questions many people are posing regarding this process.

Now what?

The only thing that’s clear is that everything is still pretty unclear. 

The FDA sounds like they are not quite sure if they can get involved in reviewing cannabis companies’ medical claims, and haven’t revealed their methodology in doing so yet.

This has huge implications for the industry.  If cannabis companies can stand up to the FDA’s (unbiased) test of their medical claims, it could provide more substantiation for federal legalization. If cannabis companies fail these (unbiased) tests, it stands to bring the legitimacy of the industry as a whole.

Payday has arrived!  Over the next few weeks, Oregon will distribute over $85 million of marijuana-related tax revenue to schools, law enforcement, local towns and substance abuse programs.  [tweet this]

Give me a slice of that cheddar!

This its the first time the tax has been distributed since Oregon legalized cannabis back in January 2016.

Schools stand to benefit the most, receiving 40% of the entire payout. Mental health and substance abuse programs will have 20% of the total coming their way, the police 15%, and the Oregon Health Authority 5%.

The remaining amount will be divided among cities, counties and towns.  What district gets how much, however, is confusing and controversial.  Some regions don’t even know how much money to expect, making it difficult to plan their annual budgets.

Why is this important?

Time and time again, states with legalized cannabis use show the financial perks of regulating and taxing the industry.

Colorado has brought in over $500 million in pot taxes, with about half going to schools. Washington state similarly has collected over $650 million in taxes. Nevada, which went legal this past July, collected over $3.7 million in taxes in just its first month.

While there’s a minor controversy over Oregon’s distribution formula, the fact remains that a significant payday is coming.  For the rest of us, cannabis taxes have consistently provided real dollars to boost cash strapped schools, programs and municipalities.

Money talks, and right now it’s shouting “legalize it!”