Cannabis Bioscience International Holdings Advocates for Rescheduling of Cannabis, Files Petition to Include Alexis Bortell’s Testimony

HOUSTON, Dec. 16, 2024 – Cannabis Bioscience International Holdings (CBIH), a leading advocate for the medical use of cannabis, has officially filed a petition to allow Alexis Bortell, a long-time cannabis advocate and patient, to testify at the upcoming Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hearing on the rescheduling of marijuana.

Bortell’s Personal Journey with Cannabis and Epilepsy

Bortell, who was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy at the age of 7, has been a prominent voice in the medical cannabis movement. Growing up with epilepsy, she endured numerous unsuccessful treatments using traditional antiepileptic medications, which often carried serious side effects. For years, she was faced with few options: Felbatol, a drug known for its life-threatening risks including dependency and abuse, or undergoing a lobectomy, a highly invasive brain surgery fraught with potentially devastating consequences such as memory loss, motor impairment, and emotional disorders.

At the end of her rope, Bortell found a life-saving solution in cannabis, specifically a combination of CBD and THC. This treatment has kept her seizure-free for nearly a decade. Her experience not only showcases the transformative medical benefits of cannabis but also highlights the damaging effects of cannabis’ Schedule I classification, which has caused barriers to accessing life-saving treatments and negatively impacted her career prospects, particularly in medical school, due to mandatory drug tests.

The Case for Rescheduling Cannabis

CBIH R&D Director Rosangel Andrades strongly emphasized the necessity of reclassifying cannabis. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cannabis is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it is deemed to have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and a lack of accepted safety under medical supervision. However, with an increasing body of evidence highlighting its therapeutic properties, particularly for patients like Bortell, many are calling for the rescheduling of cannabis to a more appropriate classification.

A Powerful Testimony Against Outdated Policies

CBIH Treasurer and Director John Jones expressed confidence in the importance of Bortell’s potential testimony at the DEA hearing.

The Upcoming DEA Hearing and the Future of Cannabis Reform

The DEA is set to hold a series of hearings regarding the rescheduling of marijuana, with testimonies scheduled to run from January 21 through March 6, 2025. As the hearing approaches, CBIH is positioning itself to spotlight the real-world consequences of cannabis prohibition, particularly its detrimental impact on patients and their families.

The inclusion of Alexis Bortell’s testimony would serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of maintaining outdated cannabis policies. It would underscore the urgent need for the federal government to reconsider the classification of cannabis, particularly as more states legalize marijuana and as the medical cannabis industry continues to grow. Bortell’s personal experience is a testament to the potential of cannabis to help patients live healthier, fuller lives, free from the constraints imposed by the stigma of prohibition.

A Critical Moment in Cannabis History

The petition filed by CBIH marks an important chapter in the ongoing fight for cannabis reform. With increasing support from both patients and medical professionals, advocates are hoping that the DEA hearing will lead to a rescheduling of cannabis, allowing it to be recognized for its legitimate medical benefits.

In the coming months, as the DEA hearing draws nearer, all eyes will be on how the federal government responds to the growing body of evidence supporting the medical use of cannabis. The inclusion of Alexis Bortell’s testimony could be a turning point in the fight to reschedule marijuana, making it more accessible for those who need it most.

The Need for Action

As the momentum for cannabis reform continues to build, advocates like CBIH are pushing for a future where cannabis is no longer classified as a dangerous drug but recognized for its healing potential. Alexis Bortell’s testimony at the DEA hearing could play a pivotal role in reshaping the future of cannabis regulation, helping ensure that patients across the nation have access to the life-changing treatments they deserve.

With the growing support for medical cannabis and the tireless advocacy of patients like Alexis, the movement for rescheduling cannabis is gaining the traction it needs to finally break through the barriers of prohibition.