Bipartisan Legislation Would Help Scientists Research Cannabis

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have introduced legislation that would help remove roadblocks scientists currently face when attempting to research the medical possibilities of cannabis.

The bill, the bipartisan Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2016, is designed to “cut through the red tape” that, in essence, ties the hands of scientists interested in conducting research into the medical benefits of marijuana.

Said legislation would essentially rebuild the federal government’s current drug policy regarding research of cannabis.  If successful, the bill would make it much easier not only for scientists to do the necessary work, but to get their hands on the weed they need to do the research.

Currently under federal law, a federally-approved cultivation center at the University of Mississippi is the only place that dispenses weed for research purposes, and a few federal medical marijuana patients.

And it wasn’t until recently that the feds grow-op even started cultivating cannabis that was worth a crap. They’ve even gone as far as to take the initiative to learn what a strain is and how to grow it to its fullest potential.

Having to deal with obtaining subpar weed just so happens to be the least difficult obstacle to overcome when interested in researching cannabis.

Researchers that would like to conduct examinations involving marijuana have to jump through a series of federal hoops before they ever get their hands on some sticky stuff.

Delayed Federal Approval Hinders Scientific Research

First, it’s required to have your study approved by the following agencies:

• The easy going guys and gals over at the Drug Enforcement Administration
• The open minded folks over at the Food and Drug Administration
• And, in some cases, they’ll throw the National Institute of Health in for good measure

Unfortunately for those that the research might benefit, the time it takes to conquer those federal stumbling blocks dissuades several researchers from conducting cannabis-related studies.

Talk about your suppression of science.

But the bipartisan legislation backed by a host of lawmakers is said to lessen the time it takes to receive approval for studies into the medical benefits of cannabis. It would also allow for more federally-approved growers to produce pot intended for research purposes.

The bill would not reclassify the current schedule of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act. However, John Hudak, who studies pot policy at the Brookings Institution, refers to the bill as “a really creative approach by Congressman Blumenauer and his colleagues to effectively reschedule marijuana without having to reschedule it.”

Meh. It still needs to be rescheduled, though. Like all but off the list entirely. 😉

Stay with Weed Tab for any and all updates regarding the attempt to lighten up on research into medical cannabis.