Judge Hears Landmark Hemp-Marijuana Challenge to Medicare Medicaid Reimbursing Payment Program

A federal district court judge in Washington, D.C. heard oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) over a new program reimbursing hemp-derived cannabinoid products for Medicare beneficiaries without FDA involvement or public rule-making. The case, Smart Approaches to Marijuana v. Kennedy, questions CMS’s authority and could set a precedent for clinical-stage drug developers and federal reimbursement policy. A ruling is expected soon.