Administration Announces Easier Access to Marijuana for Scientists Researching Potential Medical Benefits

The Obama Administration announced that it will make it easier for scientists to access marijuana for research and leave the scheduling of marijuana unchanged. Sen. Chuck Grassley, as chairman of the Judiciary and the Caucus on International Narcotics Control, has worked with Sen. Dianne Feinstein to help persuade federal agencies to conduct a scientific and medical analysis of cannabidiol, a component of marijuana under consideration to treat severe epilepsy and other conditions, to see if there is a scientific basis to change its schedule.  Also, agencies have eased some of the regulatory barriers to research of cannabidiol at the senators’ request.  Finally last month, the senators introduced the Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act  to support research initiatives on the potential benefits of substances such as cannabidiol.  Grassley also authorized a Judiciary subcommittee hearing that was held on the potential medical benefits and risks of marijuana.  Grassley made the following comment on today’s announcement.‎
 
“What the Administration is doing is consistent with my views that the government should facilitate research into whether there’s a scientific basis for marijuana-based medical products.  Where there’s the will and the ability to conduct this research, scientists should have access to what they need.  The parents of children with severe epilepsy and other conditions are interested in cannabidiol to try to ease their children’s symptoms.  Research is necessary to determine the potential medical value of cannabidiol, and wherever possible, the government should help facilitate the scientific research needed to give these parents the answers they need.  With encouragement from senators acting on behalf of our constituents, the Administration is taking positive steps to help scientists do their work here.”  
 
For more background, the senators’ letters to the agencies are available here, here and here.  The Drug Enforcement Administration’s news release last December on easing research on cannabidiol is available here.  The Justice Department’s response is available here.  The Department of Health and Human Services’ response is available here.  Details of the drug caucus hearing on cannabidiol in June 2015 are available here.  
 

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