Lanton Law Blog — Lanton Law

New Congressional CBD Bill Introduced to Give Policy Clarity for CBD Products

Congress has introduced the CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act “that will establish federal standards for CBD food and beverage products to protect consumers and provide marketplace stability for farmers, producers, and retailers.”

cannabis, CBD, Congress, FDA, pharmaceuticals, pharmacyRon LantonDecember 6, 2021CBD, CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act, Controlled Substances Act, Congress, 2018 Farm Bill, FDA

Congressional Cannabis Caucus Advocates for Medical Marijuana Access to Veterans

On December 1, 2021 the Congressional Cannabis Caucus composed a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the Caucus’ advocacy for medical marijuana access for veterans.

The letter stated “As bipartisan Co-Chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, we are pleased to learn the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is considering a change in policy to allow for access to medical cannabis for VA patients. We implore your agency to act swiftly and implement this change as soon as possible.”

cannabis, Congress, healthcare, hemp, marijuana, medical marijuana, pharmaceuticalsRon LantonDecember 3, 2021Congressional Cannabis Caucus, Cannabis, medical marijuana, Congress, Veterans Affairs

New Congressional Pharmacy Benefit Manager Bill Aimed at Spread Pricing Reintroduced

According to a December 1, 2021 press release, Representatives Carter (R-GA) and Gonzalez (D-TX) have reintroduced the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act. The legislation “would limit the power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to artificially spike Medicaid drug prices. The Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act bans the use of spread pricing by middlemen (PBMs) in Medicaid managed care. PBMs drive up prescription drug costs without adding any value to the consumer.”

Congress, drug price, healthcare, insurance, pharmaceuticals, pharmacy, pharmacy benefit manager, prescription drug costs, MedicaidRon LantonDecember 2, 2021pharmacy, spread pricing, Medicaid, Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act

CURES 2.0 Biomedical Legislation Introduced Into Congress

U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) are back as they recently introduced their long anticipated and bipartisan Cures 2.0 legislation. The bill is discussed via Congresswoman DeGette’s press release.

Antitrust Legislation Targeting Merger Filing Fees Passes Senate

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) who along with Senator Durbin (D-IL) as cosponsors have announced Senate passage of the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act.

antitrust, CongressRon LantonOctober 14, 2021Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Amy Klobuchar, Senator Chuck Grassley, FTC, Federal Trade Commission, Antitrust

Senator Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Castor (D-FL) and Trahan (D-MA) Urge FTC To Use Authority to Make Tech Companies More Accountable

According to Senator Markey’s press release Senator Markey and Representatives Castor and Trahan have sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, urging the agency to use its full authority—including its authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act—to ensure these companies comply with their new policies.

communications, Congress, data, FTC, Children’s Online Privacy, AADCRon LantonOctober 14, 2021Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act, COPPA, Senator Markey, Federal Trade Commission, The Age Appropriate Design Code, FTC

SAFE Banking Act Passes House in Defense Legislation

The House of Representatives has passed by voice vote an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by adding the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act to the legislation.

banking, cannabis, CBD, Congress, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, pharmacyRon LantonSeptember 24, 2021Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, SAFE Banking Act, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), cannabis

U.S. Senate Passes the Innovation and Competition Act

Earlier this month the U.S. Senate passed a rare bi-partisan bill called the United States Innovation and Competition Act, which seeks to improve America's competitive edge by investing billions of dollars in scientific and technological innovations – including artificial intelligence, computer chips and robotics.

technology, tech, telecommunications, supply chain, semiconductor, Congress, communications, dataRon LantonJune 17, 2021United States Innovation and Competition Act, AI, artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductor, computer chips, national security, Congress

Data Protection Agency (DPA) Legislation Reintroduced

U.S. Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) issued a press release announcing the Data Protection Act of 2021, which would create the DPA, an independent federal agency whose goal is to protect Americans’ data, instill privacy safeguards and work to ensure that there is transparency in data sharing practices.

Lina Khan Sworn in as FTC Chair

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a June 15th press release announcing Lina Khan as the Chair of the FTC, with her term expiring on September 25, 2024. Ms. Khan was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 15, 2021.

antitrust, FTC, Congress, life sciences, healthcare, technology, tech, telecommunicationsRon LantonJune 17, 2021FTC, technology, healthcare, Federal Trade Commission, Antitrust

Bipartisan Congressional Legislation Introduced Seeking Shared Savings Demo Project to Increase Biological/Biosimilar Medicare Access

U.S. Senators Cornyn (R-TX) and Bennet (D-CO) have introduced the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act also known as S. 1427. The bill seeks to establish a demonstration project to increase access to biosimilar biological products under the Medicare program.

New Bi-Partisan Privacy Bill Introduced

The Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2021 has been reintroduced and is being led by Senators Kennedy (R-LA), Klobuchar (D-MN), Manchin (D-WV and Burr (R-NC). The proposal seeks to improve the transparency of online platforms, strengthen consumers’ options when a data breach occurs and ensure companies comply with privacy policies that protect consumers.

privacy, communications, Congress, data privacy, technology, telecommunicationsRon LantonMay 21, 2021The Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act, Privacy, data collection, data tracking

House Approves Legislation for Digital Asset Working Group

The Eliminate Barriers to Innovation Act otherwise known as H.R. 1602, sponsored by Rep. McHenry (R-NC) proposes to direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission to jointly establish a working group on digital assets.

Digital Currency, Cryptocurrency, Congress, CFTC, SEC, digital assetsRon LantonApril 22, 2021Eliminate Barriers to Innovation Act, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, SEC, crytocurrency

Two Biosimilar Bills Head to President Biden for Signature

Two Biosimilar Bills Head to President BIden for Signature

Biosimilars, biologics, biotechnology, Congress, FDA, healthcare, HHS, legislation, pharmaceuticals, prescription drug costsRon LantonApril 20, 2021Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act, Ensuring Innovation Act, biosimilars, life science

Congressional Legislation on Big Tech is Forthcoming

The U.S. House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Cicilline (D-RI) issued a statement shortly after the Committee marked up and approved the Committee’s report which after a 16 month investigation examined the state of competition within the digital economy.

antitrust, app-based companies, communications, data, tech, technology, U.S. Senate, CongressRon LantonApril 20, 2021Antitrust, U.S. House Antitrust Subcommittee, Congressman Cicilline, Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, monopoly

Cybersecurity & FY 22 Discretionary Funding Request

The President’s request for fiscal year 2022 discretionary funding has been released. Below are a few mentions for cybersecurity:

Congressional IoT Legislation Introduced to Prepare for 5G Networks.

Congresswoman DelBene (D-WA)and Congressman Katko (R-NY) have introduced the Internet of Things (IoT) Readiness Act of 2021.

5G, IoT, communications, Congress, legislation, tech, technology, telecommunications, telehealth, telemedicine, FCCRon LantonMarch 29, 2021Internet of Things Readiness Act of 2021, IoT, 5G, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Internet of Things Caucus

SAFE Banking Act introduced Into the U.S. Senate

U.S. Senators Merkley (D-OR) and Daines (R-MT) have introduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, to ensure that legal cannabis operators have access to banking services. The bill can be viewed here.

cannabis, banking, Congress, hemp, U.S. Senate, recreational marijuana, pharmaceuticals, adult use marijuana, financeRon LantonMarch 26, 2021Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, Cannabis, Banking, CBD, medical marijuana, recreational marijuana, U.S. Senate, Congress

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Farm Workforce Modernization Act

Last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The bill known as H.R. 1603 is sponsored by Representative Lofgren (D-CA).

agriculture, Farming, Congress, U.S. Senate, legislation, lobbyistRon LantonMarch 21, 2021Farm, Agriculture, Farm Workforce Modernization Act, H-2A, agricultural guestworker program, merit-based visa program

Senator Klobuchar Introduces Sweeping Omnibus Antitrust Reform Legislation

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, recently introduced sweeping proposed legislation targeting antitrust reform.