Biden Won’t End Marijuana-Related White House Firings Until Federal Legalization, Press Secretary Says She also said that some of the five people who were asked to resign because they were honest about using cannabis in the past also had “other security issues that were raised,” though she did not offer specifics. “That’s an unfortunate conclusion, of course,” she said. “But what we tried to do is enable additional members of the team who would not have been able to continue serving in past administrations to continue serving by updating our policy in coordination with the security service.” That policy is reported to involve [granting waivers to workers who’ve consumed marijuana previously](https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-use-wont-automatically-block-people-from-federal-jobs-biden-administration-memo-says/), but it didn’t prevent the recently reported terminations. What’s more, The Daily Beast reported that “dozens” of staff have been punished in some form over cannabis, which also included suspensions and requirements to enter a remote work program. [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/biden-wont-end-marijuana-related-white-house-firings-until-federal-legalization-press-secretary-says/](https://www.marijuanamoment.net/biden-wont-end-marijuana-related-white-house-firings-until-federal-legalization-press-secretary-says/) ........ Kansas Lawmakers Consider Strictly Regulated Medical Marijuana Program In the Kansas House of Representatives, lawmakers are considering [a bill](http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2184/) that would create a medical marijuana program with strict limits on patient eligibility. Under the measure, only patients with one of about two dozen medical conditions including seizures and chronic pain would be permitted to use cannabis medicinally. To qualify patients need a recommendation from a physician specially certified by the state to make such recommendations. P The bill would also place strict limitations on smokable cannabis which would not be legalized under the measure. [https://hightimes.com/news/kansas/kansas-lawmakers-consider-strictly-regulated-medical-marijuana-program/](https://hightimes.com/news/kansas/kansas-lawmakers-consider-strictly-regulated-medical-marijuana-program/) ........ Key FDA official, CBD task force leader Amy Abernethy resigns At the [FDA’s conference](https://hempindustrydaily.com/8-takeaways-from-fdas-conference-on-cbd-and-gender-and-sex-differences/) on cannabinoids and gender in November, Abernethy said the science of [CBD and other cannabinoids is a priority](https://hempindustrydaily.com/fda-science-of-cbd-and-other-cannabinoids-is-a-priority/) and that the CBD Working Group is identifying data gaps and “exploring how additional research can be quickly performed and do so efficiently in order to address critical questions of safety and effectiveness of CBD.” She said the FDA is “committed to advancing hemp products with available regulatory pathways, and we are further exploring what additional steps may be appropriate for hemp products, such as those containing CBD, to protect patients and public health, foster innovation for safe products and promote consumer confidence.” In her memo, Woodcock said Abernethy “has been a relentless advocate for improving the science that informs FDA decision-making.” Abernethy’s departure comes at a critical time for the agency, which is dealing with an increased workload from the pandemic, and President Joe Biden has not yet nominated a permanent FDA commissioner. At the [FDA’s conference](https://hempindustrydaily.com/8-takeaways-from-fdas-conference-on-cbd-and-gender-and-sex-differences/) on cannabinoids and gender in November, Abernethy said the science of [CBD and other cannabinoids is a priority](https://hempindustrydaily.com/fda-science-of-cbd-and-other-cannabinoids-is-a-priority/) and that the CBD Working Group is identifying data gaps and “exploring how additional research can be quickly performed and do so efficiently in order to address critical questions of safety and effectiveness of CBD.” She said the FDA is “committed to advancing hemp products with available regulatory pathways, and we are further exploring what additional steps may be appropriate for hemp products, such as those containing CBD, to protect patients and public health, foster innovation for safe products and promote consumer confidence.” In her memo, Woodcock said Abernethy “has been a relentless advocate for improving the science that informs FDA decision-making.” Abernethy’s departure comes at a critical time for the agency, which is dealing with an increased workload from the pandemic, and President Joe Biden has not yet nominated a permanent FDA commissioner. [https://hempindustrydaily.com/key-fda-official-cbd-working-group-leader-amy-abernethy-resigns/](https://hempindustrydaily.com/key-fda-official-cbd-working-group-leader-amy-abernethy-resigns/)