By Luke Sumpter

Agencies in the United States are currently carrying out a legal process to reclassify cannabis at the federal level. Politicians in the country seem to be pushing for the completion of reviews and law changes prior to the November presidential election. Rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III substance will lay the foundation for federally legal medical cannabis, and make it easier for scientists to study the plant. Find out everything you need to know about this important weed news below.


Biden Graph

Division appears within the DEA

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in the United States is currently rolling out a process that will culminate in the organisation’s largest policy change in over 50 years: the rescheduling of marijuana. The move will remove cannabis from its Schedule I status, where it sits alongside heroin and LSD, and place it into the Schedule III category, where substances such as ketamine and anabolic steroids are placed.

Triggered by the Biden administration, this rescheduling has caused further rifts between factions of the Democratic and Republican parties and has stoked division within the DEA itself. According to Justice Department Director of Public Affairs Xochitl Hinojosa, Attorney General Merrick Garland sent a proposal to reclassify cannabis that circulated throughout the DEA on May 1st. Garland himself signed the proposal, adding some heavy political weight to the move.

However, fissures within the agency became apparent as DEA Administrator Anne Milgram refused to sign[1] the proposal. Kevin Sabet, co-founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and leading opponent of cannabis legalization in the United States, commented: “Her courage will show she was on the right side of history. It’s equally hard to overstate what a botched process the Biden Administration’s rescheduling review has been from the outset. This unprecedented action by the attorney general reflects a process poisoned by political considerations and conducted with a predetermined outcome”.

Despite the apparent intra-agency revolt, the road to cannabis rescheduling has the weight of both the president and attorney general behind it, and an already established roadmap set in place.

The Biden Administration's Plan to Reclassify Marijuana

During his presidential campaign, President Joe Biden stressed his belief that no one should be in jail for using or possessing cannabis. Biden reaffirmed this message in a White House statement[2] released in October 2022, in which he noted the impact of criminal records related to marijuana offences on the employment, housing, and educational opportunities of those affected. Biden went on to outline three steps aimed at repairing the United State’s failed approach to marijuana policy.

First, Biden directed the attorney general to put together a plan to pardon all previous federal offences for the simple possession of cannabis. Right now, there are no inmates spending time in prison for this offence. However, it will help those with a previous conviction to access jobs. Second, the president also urged all governors to pardon offences on the state level.

Finally, the third step directly addressed the current classification of cannabis. Biden stated his intention to ask the secretary of health and human services (HHS) and the attorney general to review the current classification of the controlled substance. The classification system used by the DEA defines[3] Schedule I substances as having a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. Moving marijuana to Schedule III will require a review to prove that the plant meets the definition of substances with this classification—defined as having moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.

The Marijuana Reclassification Timeline

So, when can citizens in the United States expect the federal government to take a much more relaxed, yet still prohibitive, stance on cannabis? Well, it all depends on how fast the rest of the process moves. Next, the White House Office of Management and Budget must review the proposal to reschedule cannabis. If successful, the DEA would then have to launch a public comment period in order to hear the concerns of citizens surrounding the legal change. Then, an administrative judge will have to review these comments, leaving the DEA to publish the change in classification.

Currently, the DEA is under significant pressure to get the ball rolling after the HHS concluded its scientific review into cannabis prior to the department’s comments on marijuana rescheduling. It typically takes the DEA up to six months to review HHS recommendations. However, eight months later, the agency still hasn’t concluded this process. External agencies and politicians are now mounting pressure on the DEA to speed up the proceedings. A group of 21 lawmakers have urged the DEA to “promptly remove marijuana from Schedule I”. The coalition commented[4]: “While we understand that the DEA may be navigating internal disagreement on this matter, it is critical that the agency swiftly correct marijuana’s misguided placement in Schedule I”.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has criticised[5] the delay, and Vice President Kamala Harris has also applied pressure to ensure the review concludes swiftly.

The Impact of Rescheduling Marijuana in the United States

This recent development in marijuana news could have a big impact on several important sectors. To start, the approaching marijuana reclassification will have positive consequences for cannabis businesses operating legally on the state level. Currently, these companies are excluded by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from benefitting from federal tax deductions owing to the Schedule I status of cannabis. Known as Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, this legislation[6] forbids businesses from deducting business expenses that are associated with the trafficking of Schedule I and Schedule II substances. The reclassification of cannabis to Schedule III would benefit the balance sheet of countless businesses across numerous states.

Moreover, the current legal status of cannabis at the federal level has erected significant barriers to entry[7] when it comes to studying the plant and its compounds within the United States. As things stand, researchers have to navigate a series of reviews involving the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the FDA, and a host of institutional review boards and departments of state government.

Even if scientists get the go-ahead from regulatory bodies, they have to depend on a supply of cannabis from the NIDA Drug Supply Program, which has focused much more heavily on the research around addiction and abuse as opposed to therapeutic investigations. While some roadblocks will remain, rescheduling will make it significantly easier[8] for scientists to research the therapeutic potential of cannabis.

USA drugs schedule

Reclassification Does Not Equal Legalization

Despite benefitting cannabis businesses in legal states and freeing up scientists to research cannabis more easily, reclassification of the herb does not equal federal marijuana legalization. In fact, lacking further legislative changes, the proposed reclassification of cannabis would mean that both medical and recreational cannabis businesses operating at the state level are still acting outside of compliance[9] with federal controlled substances laws.

However, the federal view on medical marijuana may change over time with the substance’s rescheduling. With accepted medical use in the eyes of the DEA, Schedule III substances may lawfully be prescribed. However, all prescription drugs require approval by the FDA, and marijuana currently lacks FDA approval. Even with FDA approval, businesses would still need to register with the DEA and adhere to its regulations. While much won’t change in the near future, eventual approval by the FDA could trigger a medical cannabis market that complies with federal law.

Marijuana Rescheduling: Public Opinion & Election Results

Cannabis currently ranks as the most used illegal substance in the United States. According to survey data[10] collected in 2022, a massive 61.9 million citizens aged 12 or older used cannabis within the past year, with 42.3 million having used it in the past month. Adding to this, data from a Gallup poll[11] found that 70% of Americans believe cannabis should be legalized. While the Biden administration’s reclassification won’t legalize the herb, the act will certainly appeal to potential voters in the up-and-coming presidential election. With his VP Kamala Harris currently applying pressure to the DEA to speed up their review process to get the reclassification ball rolling, things seem to be lining up nicely for when the voting booths open in November.

By state, as of 2023
      Recreational and Medical         Medical         Not Legalized


Rules vary in each jurisdiction, check state and local laws. CBD only states not included.

While cannabis will remain illegal at the federal level even following the rescheduling of the plant, the United States as a whole remains one of the most liberal countries when it comes to marijuana. Individual states are free to legislate their own cannabis laws, and citizens all over the country enjoy legal cannabis in their local jurisdictions. Plus, Americans can legally buy and possess cannabis seeds, as they fall outside of the DEA’s Controlled Substances Act because they are viewed as hemp products due to extremely low THC concentrations. This legal reality has made it possible for companies such as Royal Queen Seeds to set up shops in the country and supply growers with world-class cannabis genetics in seed form.

The reclassification of cannabis will also likely open the gate for full federal legislation in the future. Eventually, approval by the FDA will open up a legal nationwide medical market. On top of this, rescheduling will lower the barriers for researchers, enabling them to discover more about the plant, including evidence that could lead to its eventual liberation by the federal government.

External Resources:
  1. DEA Administrator 'Did Not Sign Off' https://www.marijuanamoment.net
  2. Statement from president Biden on marijuana reform https://www.whitehouse.gov
  3. Drug Scheduling https://www.dea.gov
  4. DEA Agrees To Reschedule Marijuana Under Federal Law https://www.marijuanamoment.net
  5. FDA Head Says There's 'No Reason For DEA To Delay' Rescheduling Marijuana https://www.marijuanamoment.net
  6. Vermont General Assembly https://legislature.vermont.gov
  7. Challenges and Barriers in Conducting Cannabis Research https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Marijuana reclassification will make it somewhat easier to study https://www.npr.org
  9. Legal Consequences of Rescheduling Marijuana https://crsreports.congress.gov
  10. The Federal Status of Marijuana and the Policy Gap with States https://crsreports.congress.gov
  11. Grassroots Support for Legalizing Marijuana Hits Record 70% https://news.gallup.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: