In a surprising political development, US President Donald Trump has ordered the reclassification of marijuana – a step that could fundamentally change federal prohibition in the USA. The exact new classification is currently being determined, but is likely to represent a significant relaxation of the previous strict Schedule I classification. At the same time, Trump has announced that Medicare will include CBD products in its coverage in the future. This would be an unprecedented signal for the recognition of cannabidiol as medically relevant at the federal level.
This development has significant implications for international cannabis policy. The USA is regarded worldwide as a trendsetter in drug policy – a federal reclassification will inevitably influence discussions in Europe and Switzerland. While Switzerland has tolerated CBD-containing products with less than 1% THC since 2011 and an established market exists, a US relaxation could shift international research standards and regulatory frameworks further. This also affects questions regarding quality standards, clinical studies, and mutual recognition of approvals.
The concrete implementation of Trump's announcement remains to be seen – particularly how Medicare will specifically define and regulate CBD. Swiss CBD consumers should monitor this development, as it could influence European regulations in the medium term. Source: Google News Cannabis
