Matthew C. Zorn previously argued that federal regulators determine “accepted medical use” through the FDA approval framework. Today, he appears on behalf of the United States defending a CMS program that introduces cannabinoid furnishing into Medicare connected clinical environments without FDA validation. The contradiction raises serious policy questions: if FDA approval defines medical legitimacy under federal law, how can Medicare linked access pathways expand before that standard is met? Programs like BEI risk signaling that clinical evidence is optional – a message that directly undermines companies investing years in FDA authorized cannabinoid drug development.





