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that would prioritize medical patients , such as improving access to adult-use dispensaries with medical licenses and pushing for reduced tax rates and more affordable pricing for medical users ,” she says . “ Additionally , I collaborate with industry groups to amplify the voices of medical cannabis patients , helping to highlight the need for legislative changes .”

Whether you are a dispensary owner , medical patient or simply an advocate in Illinois , Khot suggests taking several actions to raise awareness and push for policy changes :

• Engage with local lawmakers . Publicly sharing your concerns for medical patients at community meetings and in industry forums can help create momentum for change .

• Collaborate with advocacy groups . Working together with advocacy groups like the Illinois Cannabis Trade Association , The Illinois Medical Cannabis Alliance , and NORML can help ensure that the voices of medical patients are heard .

• Educate the public and industry professionals . Dispensary owners and staff should be trained to understand the nuances of medical cannabis use and they should encourage open conversations that help reduce stigma .

• Utilize the power of social media . Use your social media platforms and blogs to share stories and experiences from medical patients . By raising awareness through these channels , it can generate broader public support , which can drive policymakers to take action .

Khot doesn ’ t plan on halting her advocacy anytime soon . In fact , she has plans for the future .

“ I plan to host patient-centered events and public awareness campaigns to highlight the challenges faced by medical cannabis patients , fostering a better understanding of their needs and encouraging others to advocate for change ,” she says . “ Together , these efforts can help create a more informed and compassionate cannabis policy that benefits both medical and recreational users in Illinois .”

by KRYSTINA SKIBO

On Monday , Jan . 13 , administrative law judge John Mulrooney postponed the start of hearings on federal cannabis rescheduling by at least three months , with reform-minded participants alleging bias on the part of DEA officials involved in the process .

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“ The decision to not move forward with rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug is a major setback for the cannabis industry , from both cultural and operational standpoints ,” says Sasha Nutgent , vice president of cannabis retail at Housing Works Cannabis Co . “ This decision also harms the legal cannabis market by limiting profitability due to the constraints of IRS code 280E .”

Although Mulrooney cited statutory restrictions on his office ’ s ability to take actions such as removing DEA as the “ proponent ” of the proposal to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act ( CSA ), he sharply criticized the agency over various procedural missteps that he argued contributed to a delay of the rulemaking , potentially indefinitely as a new administration is set to come into office next week , as stated in Marijuana Moment .

Vince Ning , co-CEO and co-founder of Nabis , notes that while the judge ’ s decision to delay the hearings and maintain the status quo is disappointing , it won ’ t deter the continued momentum of the cannabis industry .

“ If anything , this setback underscores the critical importance of continuing to build resilient , adaptable infrastructure within our current constraints ,” he says . “ We will see what the next administration has planned soon , but at Nabis , we ’ ve always operated under the philosophy that we must be the change we want to see in the industry . This isn ’ t a moment for despair ; it ’ s a call to action for every player in the cannabis space to innovate , collaborate and advocate more fiercely than ever .”

The judge ordered either the government or the movants to provide the court with an update on the status of the interlocutory appeal in 90 days . To the extent the issues are not resolved , they must update the court every subsequent 90 days . The window to file an appeal is 15 days from the issuance of the order . www . bevwholesaler . com Spring 2025 • Beverage Wholesaler 23