By Lois Thomson
A bipartisan bill on cannabis research has been sent to President Biden for approval. The bill was filed in July and passed quickly through the House of Representatives, then moved along to the Senate, which unanimously approved the legislation.
The thrust of the bill, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), is to eliminate the red tape that hampers cannabis research, and therefore pave the way for possible new treatments that can be developed from cannabis. Because so many people deal with conditions or symptoms that might be helped – problems like Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy – such research could provide relief.
Before that can happen, however, the research needs to be done, and this bill is taking a step in the right direction. For a long time, Congress was accused of standing in the way of getting anything accomplished, but Republicans and Democrats alike agree on the principle – that it is essential to be able to fully study the impacts it may have.
The research may not only discover new treatments for various conditions, but may also provide insight into the way medical marijuana is currently used. Rep. Andy Harris (R–Md.) said that while some data indicates medical marijuana may assist in treating certain diseases, only research will be able to verify those claims. He added that the public deserves to know the effect marijuana has on the human body. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) agreed that it is essential to be able to study the impacts of cannabis use.
Rep. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) commented he is aware that some of his constituents have tried using untested derivatives from the marijuana plant to treat ailments. For that reason, he considers the research to be critical to make sure derivatives are regulated like any other prescription drug.
However, while both parties agreed that it was important for something to be done, many on both sides reiterate that they are opposed to recreational marijuana.
The hope is that once this bill has been passed, progress can be made on other cannabis legislation.
This legislation includes language that, among others, would (a) give the U.S. attorney general a 60-day deadline to either approve a research application or ask for additional information from the applicant; (b) encourage the Food and Drug Administration to develop cannabis-derived medicines; and (c) require the Department of Health and Human Services to look at both the health benefits and the risks of marijuana.
In the past, the president has indicated an interest in the medical potential of marijuana and has been supportive of more research, so he is expected to sign the bill.
