CReDO Science Webinar Discusses the Origins and Effects of Cannabis Laws
Recently, Dr. Ethan Russo traced the history of cannabis prohibition from ancient texts to modern regulations, discussing policy shifts, scheduling, and more.
Image | adobe.stock/Robert Kneschke
On March 13, 2025, CReDO Science presented, “History of Cannabis Prohibition and Scheduling,” an hour-long webinar detailing the history of cannabis policies, from historical texts to modern day prohibitions. Ethan Russo, MD, neurologist and medical researcher, explained significant dates, current cannabis scheduling, and the potential for the future.
In his explanation of the history of cannabis prohibition, Dr. Russo noted some important documents that he argues contain references to cannabis policies, namely the Bible, the Talmud, Egyptian laws, and a papal bull in 1484. He also noted a 3200-page study on the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission from the late 1800s, which advised against its prohibition and encouraged medical and religious use.
Dr. Russo also noted significant periods in the long history of cannabis policies. For example, after alcohol prohibition was repealed in the US, the 1930s saw the rise of cannabis prohibition, promoted by government official Harry Anslinger, who later contributed to the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961, helping to schedule cannabis at a global level. Because of this, if it was to be used, cannabis had to be cultivated and owned by a national agency, which for the US was National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). From 1999–2015, any research done on cannabis had to come from the University of Mississippi, which had contracted with NIDA. Intending to study the harms of cannabis, NIDA conducted several international studies from 1975–1982 and found little on associated harms, but did illustrate that cannabis had been a popular medicine in the US from the 1850s until 1973.
The US Controlled Substances Act in 1970 placed cannabis in Schedule I, alongside heroin and LSD, though The National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse in 1972 recommended medical access to cannabis and its decriminalization.
Other important years were mentioned. For example, in 1996, Proposition 215 in California legalized medical cannabis in the state, with many more states following. Additionally, several changes occurred around the globe for cannabis in 2018. Cannabis for recreational use was made legal in Canada, Epidiolex was given FDA approval, and the Farm Bill defined hemp as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC.
Dr. Russo also explained the ways cannabis could obtain FDA approval. For example, through the FDA’s Botanical Drug Development guidelines, or through standardized cannabis preparations developed abroad and imported to the US for research (as with Sativex and Epidiolex). He also explained the differences between Schedules I, II, and III in the Controlled Substances Act, split scheduling (for example, the synthetic THC Marinol is in Schedule III), plus the DEA’s eight factor analysis for scheduling. Ultimately, as Dr. Russo stated, herbal cannabis would remain in Schedule I even if a specific cannabis preparation was approved by the FDA. Furthermore, if cannabis was rescheduled to Schedule III, specific products would have to be approved by the FDA for prescription for patients.
He also outlined the steps needed in order to conduct cannabis research, noting that the difficulty of conducting research in the US puts it behind other countries such as Canada and Israel.
“I don't think Schedule III makes any sense, or would be really helpful if that happened,” Dr. Russo stated. “It should mean that companies engaged in cannabis commerce would be able to get a bank account. They wouldn't have to deal in cash, which now causes thefts at dispensaries and is really onerous. The only thing that makes sense to me on a scientific basis, or even on a legal basis, is for it to be descheduled and legalized and subject to controls much akin to alcohol or tobacco, which are obviously much more dangerous compounds.”
On a positive note, Dr. Russo explained that he has seen advancements in technology for telemedicine and clinical trials that could help connect patients with research and information.
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