Cannabis Research Firm MMJ International Holdings Prepares Lawsuit Against DEA for Alleged Violations of Federal Law

LOS ANGELES–  MMJ International Holdings Corp, a cannabis research company, is gearing up to file a lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing the agency of failing to adhere to federal law regarding the cultivation of pharmaceutical cannabis for research purposes.

The impending legal action comes after MMJ’s application to grow pharmaceutical cannabis to support its research has been allegedly left unanswered by the DEA for nearly five years. MMJ International Holdings Corp holds two investigational drug applications with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its developed soft gelatin capsule, intended for clinical trials focusing on multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease.

According to MMJ, the DEA’s lack of response to their application is in violation of both the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) and the Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (MCREA), which was enacted into law in December 2022.

Representatives of MMJ, including Megan Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates, have issued a warning letter to DEA Deputy Assistant Administrator Matthew Strait and DEA regulatory chief Ricardo Quintero, claiming that the agency’s inaction constitutes a violation of federal law.

The warning letter highlights the alleged breach of both the CSA and the MCREA by the DEA, citing their failure to process MMJ’s bulk manufacturing application over the extended period. Moreover, the letter points out the DEA’s purported lackadaisical approach toward the application, reportedly indicating that they would address it on their own timeline, which MMJ claims goes against DEA policies and procedures.

If found to be in violation of the CSA or the MCREA, the DEA could potentially face fines, court-ordered injunctions, or be mandated to process MMJ’s bulk manufacturing application and take remedial actions to address the alleged non-compliance with federal law.

The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the cannabis research industry and may shed light on the federal government’s approach to handling applications related to pharmaceutical cannabis cultivation for scientific purposes.

Neither the DEA nor MMJ International Holdings Corp has provided official statements beyond the warning letter issued by MMJ’s legal representation. As the case unfolds, the wider cannabis and pharmaceutical industries will likely be closely monitoring its developments and potential implications.

About MMJ International Holdings Corp:

MMJ International Holdings Corp is a cannabis research firm dedicated to advancing the development of pharmaceutical cannabis for medicinal purposes. The company’s ongoing research focuses on soft gelatin capsule formulations designed to treat neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease through FDA-approved clinical trials.