CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — The federal government is making changes to how some marijuana products are classified.
The U.S. Department of Justice is reclassifying some marijuana-based products that have been approved by the FDA. The department said this change will strengthen medical research while maintaining federal control.
Todd Cynecki, the owner of Good Vibes Mafia CBD in Cape Coral, sells lotions, gummies and dog treats to bring relief to his customers.
“This created a pathway for my lotion to get on somebody that’s kind of sore back,” Cynecki said.
Cynecki views the reclassification as progress for the industry.
“It’s one leg of the journey,” Cynecki said. “And we can’t go forward with any other reclassification or any other national laws until this box is checked.”
Cynecki believes the change will help reduce negative perceptions surrounding marijuana products.
“The negative stigma starts to dissipate more and more, and we’ve been eroding that over 20 years, in my lifetime,” Cynecki said.
People outside the shop say the news is good for breaking that stigma. David Navarro, a medical marijuana cardholder, shared his perspective on the plant’s effects.
“Cannabis gets you munchies,” Navarro said. “But other than that, I don’t think it’s harmful at all.”
McCauley Sexton, a substance use disorder advocate, supports reducing restrictions on marijuana.
“We don’t need to put a bunch of red tape around something like a plant,” Sexton said.