Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act
Great Seal of the United States
Long titleTo expand research on cannabidiol and marijuana, and for other purposes.
Enacted bythe 117th United States Congress
EffectiveDecember 2, 2022
Citations
Public lawPub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 117–215 (text) (PDF)
Statutes at Large136 Stat. 2257
Legislative history

The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act is an Act of Congress allowing medical research on cannabis. The act is "the first standalone marijuana-related bill approved by both chambers of the United States Congress".[1]

History

The bill was introduced in the Senate February 4, 2021 by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D) of California, Brian Schatz (D) of Hawaii, and Chuck Grassley (R) of Iowa as S.253;[2][3] it was forwarded unanimously by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and passed by Senate unanimously on March 24, 2022.[4] A new bill with minor changes was introduced in House on July 21, 2022, by four Republicans and two Democrats; Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon was the lead sponsor.[5] It was passed by House under suspension of the rules 395-25 five days later.[6] On November 16, 2022, the Senate passed the House bill by voice vote and sent it to the President to be signed into law.[1][6] President Biden signed the bill into law on December 2, 2022.[7]

Provisions

The act requires the Drug Enforcement Administration to register researchers and suppliers of cannabis for medical research in a timely manner, who will then be able to legally manufacture, distribute, dispense and possess the substance.[8] It also creates a mechanism for FDA approval of drugs derived from the cannabis plant and "[p]rotects doctors who may now discuss the harms and benefits of using cannabis and cannabis derivatives."[9][a] It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the medical utility of cannabis and barriers that exist to conducting research, and requires the Attorney General to conduct an annual review to ensure that cannabis is being adequately produced for research purposes.[7][10][11]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Title III states "It shall not be a violation of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) for a State-licensed physician to discuss—(1) the currently known potential harms and benefits of marijuana derivatives, including cannabidiol, as a treatment with the legal guardian of the patient of the physician if the patient is a child; or (2) the currently known potential harms and benefits of marijuana and marijuana derivatives, including cannabidiol, as a treatment with the patient or the legal guardian of the patient of the physician if the patient is a legal adult."

References

  1. ^ a b Natalie Fertig (November 16, 2022). "Congress sends first weed bill to Biden". Politico. Passage of the legislation signaled a new era in federal cannabis policy: It's the first standalone marijuana-related bill approved by both chambers of Congress.
  2. ^ S.253 bill history, U.S. Congress official website, accessed March 24, 2022
  3. ^ Kyle Jaeger (February 8, 2021). "Bipartisan Marijuana Research Bill Reintroduced In The Senate". Marijuana Moment.
  4. ^ Kyle Jaeger (March 24, 2022), "U.S. Senate Unanimously Approves Marijuana Reform Bill On Same Day That House Schedules Legalization Vote", Marijuana Moment
  5. ^ "H.R.8454 - Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act". congress.gov.
  6. ^ a b Senate Passes Bipartisan Marijuana Research Bill – Bill passed House in July, now goes to President Biden for signature (press release), Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein, November 16, 2022
  7. ^ a b Kyle Jaeger (December 2, 2022). "Biden Signs Marijuana Research Bill, A Historic First For Federal Cannabis Reform". Marijuana Moment.
  8. ^ Joseph Choi (November 17, 2022). "Senate passes marijuana medication bill". The Hill.
  9. ^ Mackenzie S. Schoonmaker (December 2, 2022), "President Biden Signs Law Expanding Research on Cannabis", National Law Review, vol. XII, no. 336
  10. ^ Wadman, Meredith (December 2, 2022). "New U.S. law promises to light up marijuana research". Science Magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  11. ^ "H.R.8454 - Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act". congress.gov. Retrieved December 4, 2022.

Further reading

External links

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