With more scientists looking to study the different effects of cannabis, they are finding that there are barriers preventing them from doing so. In fact, because of these barriers, the researchers are findng their research being prevented. Also, they are also having to stall what research is allowed. Luckily for them, some senators are looking to remove these barriers by pushing forward a marijuana amendment. This will hopefully remove these barriers.

Amendment

Senators Dianne Feinstein and Brian Schatz of California and Hawaii respectively submitted an amendment on Monday. This amendment would be to the National Defense Authorization Act. They designed it to simplify the application process for researchers. This makes it easier to not only investigate cannabis, but also manufacture the plants that they use in those studies. Specifically, the US attorney general would be given a 60-day deadline to either approve an application or request additional information from the applicant. It would also allow for an expedited pathway for those requesting larger quantities of Schedule I drugs.

It would also allow physicians to discuss the risks and benefits of cannabis with their patients. The marijuana amendment would also require the US Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report on those potential benefits. It requires the department to also submit a report on the barriers to cannabis research and how the researchers can surpass them. The amendment would also allow accredited medical professionals to cultivate their own cannabis for research purposes.

Past Attempts

This amendment, however, isn’t anything new. In fact, the Senate released an earlier version of the bill late 2020. Since then, The aforementioned senators of California and Hawaii, with another of Iowa, filed an identical bill in February. These aren’t the only ones looking to make changes to cannabis legislation. Other members of Congress have sought to also make changes. However, most of those involved trying to cause a comprehensive legalization effort.

Limits

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has started pointing out the limits to these changes. Specifically, the NIDA pointed out that even if these changes occur, researchers will do the research using products specifically designed for research and not for use by the customers.  That said, bipartisan lawmakers introduced a bill that, among other aspects, would allow scientists to buy cannabis from dispensaries for research purposes.

Regardless, activists and researchers both hope that this is the first sign of major changes for the cannabis industry. For now, only time will tell.

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