A coalition of anti-marijuana groups and a cannabis-focused biopharmaceutical corporation are asking a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s dismissal of their lawsuit challenging a new Trump administration initiative to cover up to $500 worth of hemp-derived products each year for eligible Medicare patients.
Last month, Judge Trevor N. McFadden dismissed the challenge to the program that’s implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that focuses largely on CBD but also allows a certain amount of THC in products.
He ruled that prohibitionist groups and activists, led by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), as well as a cannabis-focused biopharmaceutical corporation MMJ International Holdings and its subsidiaries, “have not established standing to bring this case.”
Now, the plaintiffs are appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
“Notice is hereby given that Plaintiffs Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Cannabis Industry Victims Educating Litigators, Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, MMJ International Holdings, Inc., MMJ Biopharma Cultivation, Inc., and MMJ Biopharma Labs, Inc. hereby appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from the judgment of this court entered on May 22, 2026 in favor of Defendants against said Plaintiffs,”
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