ASAM Praises Congress for Passing Bipartisan Cannabis Research Bill

With both chambers of Congress advancing the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, ASAM encourages President Biden to sign the bipartisan legislation into law

Rockville, MD – Today, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) applauded Congress for yesterday’s advancement of bipartisan legislation that would facilitate access to cannabis for research purposes. If signed into law by President Biden, H.R.8454 -

the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act would make it easier for researchers to study cannabis, which would potentially open the door to additional cannabis-derived medicines and therapies.

“ASAM strongly believes in following the science and developing evidence-based policies and practices relating to substances, including cannabis,” said Dr. Bill Haning, president of ASAM. “Federal barriers have long made it difficult for researchers to study cannabis and its potential therapeutic benefits. We applaud Congress for recognizing the need to facilitate cannabis research by passing the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act – and we urge President Biden to sign the bill into law.” 

Specifically, the legislation is intended to streamline the approval process for cannabis research, remove certain barriers to acquiring cannabis for research purposes, and encourage the federal government to facilitate more medical research on cannabis. The US Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, would be tasked with annually assessing if there is an adequate and uninterrupted supply of cannabis for research purposes. Importantly, the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act would also clarify that it is not against federal law for physicians to discuss the risks and benefits of cannabis with patients in their care.

Legislative champions for the passage of this bipartisan legislation include Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR) and Andy Harris (MD) in the House and Sens. Dianne Feinstein (CA), Brian Schatz (HI), and Chuck Grassley (IA) in the Senate.

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