National Compassionate Care Council Launches to Guide Federal Policy Reform Agenda

WASHINGTON, DC, March 4, 2026 (Newswire.com) - Today, the National Compassionate Care Council (NCCC) formed to serve as the nation's leading unified voice of the medicinal cannabis ecosystem in Washington and state capitals nationwide. President Trump's efforts to reschedule cannabis and establish a federally supervised Medicare pilot program for cannabinoid therapies marks a turning point for patients and the medical community. NCCC is committed to the success of those initiatives and ensuring evidence-based policy reform.

NCCC exists to build a critical bridge between responsible manufacturers, the medical community, and the mainstream federal healthcare system. The council will inform and advise on a reform agenda surrounding cannabis policy that creates a sustainable and legal marketplace for medicinal cannabis driven by data and research. It will act as a go-to resource for policymakers and regulators as they craft reforms, ensuring that the integration of these treatments prioritizes science, standardized dosing, and patient safety.

"This administration's recent federal actions to expedite cannabis rescheduling and explore a Medicare cannabidiol pilot program reflects a meaningful and welcome shift toward aligning policy with emerging research and clinical experience," said Dr. Leigh Vinocur, NCCC Chief Medical Advisor. "For millions of patients and the physicians who care for them, these therapies are not theoretical. They are already part of modern medical practice. NCCC remains committed to ensuring that any evolution in cannabis policy is guided by rigorous scientific research, patient safety, regulatory clarity, and real-world clinical data guidance."

"President Trump has opened new doors for healthcare and cannabis, creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation, research, and investment. This decision paves the way for hemp-derived cannabinoids to move beyond the retail shelf and into conversations between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. We are honored to bring a research, education and patient-forward perspective to help shape cannabinoid policy," said Sasha Kalcheff-Korn, NCCC Member and Executive Director of Realm of Caring.

About NCCC: The National Compassionate Care Council (NCCC) is dedicated to modernizing the standard of care and bridging the gap between slow-moving regulations and the patients who need relief now. By prioritizing patients over paperwork, NCCC leverages real-world evidence and expert collaboration to advocate for safe, immediate access to physician-guided cannabinoid therapies for those who lack the benefit of time. Our mission is simple: more healing, less waiting.

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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Frank Schembari at [email protected] or 703-490-8845

SOURCE: National Compassionate Care Council

Source: National Compassionate Care Council