A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit in New Mexico that sought to require insurance companies to cover medical cannabis for behavioral health treatment, reinforcing the conflict between state legalization and federal prohibition. The case, led by Ultra Health and several patients, argued that state law mandates coverage, but the court ruled that federal law—under which cannabis remains a Schedule I substance—takes precedence.

Many are excited for this huge change, while others remain skeptical.

Cannabis and alcohol are very different substances, but the way we’re handling cannabis today is repeating the same regulatory mistakes we made with alcohol.