The federal government finally recognizing the medical applications of cannabis provides validation to what consumers, patients, and industry leaders have known for decades. Where this opens doors and changes the conversation is for those potential patients who may benefit from medical cannabis, but who have been hesitant to ask their doctor because the plant was prohibited.
Federal recognition won’t eliminate stigma overnight, but it’s an important step in removing many of the barriers that have kept patients and doctors from having honest conversations about the role cannabis can play in treating conditions or symptoms like chronic pain, PTSD, arthritis, and chemotherapy-related nausea.
Being able to discuss medical cannabis without fear of legal recourse gives physicians another resource to treat their patients. And we can’t overstate the benefits of creating an environment where more licensed medical professionals can speak to the medical applications of cannabis. There is so much misinformation out there, and giving consumers medically backed answers will fill a gap the cannabis industry has been struggling to fill for a long time.
For operators, this means the bar has been raised. Patients are going to want clearer information and more transparency about what is in their medication and the benefits. Brands will need to prioritize clean manufacturing practices, ingredient sourcing and formulation to help gain customer trust. They will need to make sure any claims they make for their products are medically accurate, and that they’re staying up to date on emerging research with teams in place to make sure products are compliant with federal guidelines.
We’ve already seen this in the EU, where companies must be EU GMP certified. And we’re taking those steps at NuggMD – working with DEA-registered providers and pharmacists who help us navigate protocols with patients. That standard increases trust among consumers. It isn’t an easy bar for companies to clear, but it’s an essential step in turning a stigmatized industry into mainstream medicine. Federal policy opens the door, but the industry still has to prove it can rise to the challenge ahead of it.
Maybe the most exciting part of the reclassification is the increased opportunities for research. We can now explore the benefits of the plant to the same extent as other supplements and compounds. There is still so much we’re learning about cannabis compounds and the ways they interact with the body and other medications. Now, with fewer government restraints on research, we can dive deeper into the full capabilities of the plant.
None of these changes will happen overnight, and just because cannabis has been reclassified doesn't mean the stigma automatically disappears. Trust will be built brick by brick by showing patients and healthcare professionals that the cannabis industry is willing to hold itself to the same standards of accuracy, accountability and patient care that we see across healthcare.
The narrative has changed on a federal level, and for it to change on a consumer level, patients will need to see the industry deliver on its promises with research, transparency, and accountability.
Charlie Russell is the CEO of NuggMD.
