ASAM Joins the Friends of NIDA in Expressing Support for the Medical Marijuana Research Act

On July 17, Representatives Andy Harris (R-MD), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Rob Bishop (R-UT) introduced the Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2019, which would reduce many of the burdensome barriers researchers face when conducting legitimate scientific research involving cannabis. ASAM endorsed the bill in a letter from the Friends of NIDA. There is a growing body of research that indicates cannabis has the potential to effectively treat certain medical conditions. However, there is also significant evidence that consistent use of cannabis can have deleterious effects on a patient’s health. ASAM is pleased to endorse this bill, as it will serve to generate research that can better inform policymakers when legislating on this issue.

This bill would create an exception for cannabis from the current obstacles of Schedule I registration and review procedures. It would furthermore require that the Department of Justice approve applications from individuals seeking to manufacture or dispense cannabis for legitimate medical research unless such a registration is not in the public interest. Finally, the bill would require that the Department of Health and Human Services review existing medical and other research on cannabis and report the findings to Congress. Through these measures, the Medical Marijuana Research Act would streamline research efforts into cannabis while also better educating Congress on the current body of research pertaining to cannabis.  

Read the bill text here.

Read the Friends of NIDA Letter here.