Following president Joe Biden’s call for ease of federal restrictions on cannabis research while campaigning back in 2020, The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to ease federal restrictions on cannabis research.
The bill titled “the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act”, has been sent to the desk of President Biden for his expected signature after received the approval of the House back in July by a 325 to 95 vote.
The bill which was sponsored by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Brian Schatz was passed on Wednesday through unanimous consent by a voice vote and seeks to provide a guideline for the application process and approval of marijuana-related scientific studies, making it easier for researchers to understand the potential medical benefits of cannabis.
The bill also includes provisions to encourage the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to support the development of medicines derived from cannabis. In a statement, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said “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.”
Oregon Democratic Representative Earl Blumenauer while lending his voice noted the significance of the legislation after the Senate vote on Wednesday.
“After working on the issue of cannabis reform for decades, finally the dam is starting to break. 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 of cannabis,” he further stated. “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.”
“For far too long, Congress has stood in the way of science and progress, creating barriers for researchers 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 the 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 fully study the impacts of cannabis use.”
