Multiple reports have confirmed President Joseph Biden‘s plans to sign bipartisan legislation passed last week that would further medical cannabis research. Such statements were first revealed by Bloomberg but later confirmed by a White House spokesperson.
H.R.8454, also known as the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, makes a simple request. Cannabis researchers can now submit applications to the U.S. Attorney General’s office which must respond within a 60-day deadline (either with approval, denial, or request for more information).
Beyond this, the bill also reduces federal restrictions concerning scientific research on cannabis. More specifically, it makes it easier for researchers to garner the rights to research.
Naturally, the hope of such is that we’ll see more research within the United States look into cannabis. Not to mention, the writing in the bill encourages the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support cannabis-derived medications.
“There is substantial evidence that marijuana derived medications can and are providing major health benefits. Our bill will make it easier to study how these medications can treat various conditions, resulting in more patients being able to easily access safe medications,” Dianne Feinstein, Democratic Senator of California, said in a statement.
She continued, “We know that cannabidiol-derived medications can be effective for conditions like epilepsy. This bill will help refine current medical CBD practices and develop important new applications. After years of negotiations, I’m delighted that we’re finally enacting this bill that will result in critical research that could help millions.”
The research that is produced by such applications can then be used as a means of continuing to shape this industry alongside the products being produced.
With legalization occurring in so many states, such a signature doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. By expanding cannabis research, we have the opportunity to not only better understand how the plant plays a role in human health, but also how to develop medications that fit specific needs.
For example, let’s say one group of researchers found the cannabinoid known as cannabigerol (CBG) has a much more significant impact on inflammation than cannabidiol (CBD). In such an instance, we’d be able to develop concentrations of CBG (alongside other active ingredients) aimed at those struggling with inflammatory conditions.
Naturally, you can imagine such legislation is really a no-brainer at this point. In July, the bill passed in the House of Representatives by a 325 to 95 vote. Within the past week, the bill then passed the Senate with unanimous consent.
An Important Step in the Continuing of Cannabis Reform for Biden
“After working on the issue of cannabis reform for decades, finally the dam is starting to break,” Earl Blumenauer, Democratic Representative of Oregon and co-sponsor of the legislation, discussed.
He continued: “The passage of my Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act in the House and Senate represents a historic breakthrough in addressing the federal government’s failed and misguided prohibition on cannabis.
“As we have seen in state after state, the public is tired of waiting for the federal government to catch up. More than 155 million Americans – nearly half of our nation’s population—now reside in states where adult use of cannabis is legal.”
With half the country having this access, safety protocol is a must in order to secure the legitimacy of cannabis in the United States. In order to better understand this protocol, we need research that helps us understand cannabis’s effects on the brain and body.
“For far too long, Congress has stood in the way of science and progress, creating barriers for research attempting to study cannabis and its benefits,” Blumenauer continued. “At a time when more than 155 million Americans reside where adult use of cannabis is legal at a state or local level and there four million registered medical marijuana users with many more likely to self-medicate, it is essential that we are able to fully study the impacts of cannabis use.”
