As any American not living under a rock knows, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is struggling to meet their current responsibilities in any effective or meaningful way. Be it baby formula, recalls, or conflicts of interest, FDA’s value as an agency is already being questioned, and public trust has been lost.

Why, then, are we all so eager to give an overburdened, and clearly uninterested agency, responsibility over such an important part of the future of the American health system and overall economy?

With over 48 million Americans reportedly using cannabis and the creation of 438,000 new jobs, cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries in the US.  Which makes this decision way too important to be placed under an agency that took nearly five years to publicly admit they are both unable and unwilling to regulate it.

FDA is correct…we absolutely DO need a new Cannabinoid Regulatory Agency…

We need an agency that can make decisions truly in the best interest of ALL Americans!

An agency that:

• Prioritizes public health and safety above all else.
• Is independent and can withstand political influence.
• Makes scientific, evidence-based decisions.
• Communicates with transparency both internally and externally.
• Collaborates with other government agencies, industry, and stakeholders to address new and complex issues that align with the wishes and best interest of the American public.
• Possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively evaluate the safety of products and substances, as well as the equipment, processes, and documentation used to create them.
• Provides oversight and enforcement, but also develops meaningful guidance and fosters collaborative opportunities for growth and improvement of the industry as a whole.
• Adapts and adjusts to address cannabis’ continually changing circumstances, with the authority to modify regulations and recommendations efficiently.
• Understands cannabis based on the best available evidence, not stigmatized, historical inaccuracies.

There are not many Americans who are thrilled with the current state of our country. Criticism of our political and regulatory systems is at an all-time high and continues to grow stronger every day.

It’s time for every American to demand more from the people and agencies whose jobs exist due to taxpayer dollars. It is time to insist they do what they were hired to do – serve and protect our needs and best interests.

What better place to start than by designing a new federal regulatory framework for cannabis?

Lezli Engelking

Founder and President

FOCUS: The Cannabis Health & Safety Organization

www.focusstandards.org