US Senate clears bipartisan marijuana research bill ahead of House vote on legalization

By Jelena Martinovic

On Thursday, the Senate gave the green light to a bipartisan marijuana bill designed to encourage marijuana research, Marijuana Moment reported.

The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), is titled the Cannabidiol and Marijuana Research Expansion Act. It was reintroduced in February 2021 after an earlier version passed the Senate in 2020.

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The bill was passed unanimously and without debate. On the same day, the Congressional leadership confirmed that the US House of Representatives plans to vote on a bill legalizing federal marijuana (the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act) for the second time in history.

While the bill sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) is set to land on the House floor next week, a Senate legalization bill is being introduced by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) – the Cannabis Administration & Opportunity – Completed Act (CAOA) – has yet to be filed, most likely in April.

What does the research law say?

The newly passed law would simplify the application process for researchers wishing to study cannabis. It will also encourage the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop cannabis-derived drugs.

Under the legislation, doctors would be allowed to discuss the risks and benefits of marijuana with their patients.

The bill states that “it is not a violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) for a state-licensed physician to discuss the risks and benefits of marijuana and cannabis-derived products with patients.”

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In addition, physicians can request the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide a report on the potential health benefits of marijuana, the obstacles associated with cannabis research, and how to overcome them.

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“Current rules and regulations make it difficult for researchers to study how best to use marijuana and marijuana-derived drugs to treat various medical conditions,” Sen. Feinstein said in a press release. “This important legislation will reduce the red tape surrounding the research process and help bring FDA-approved marijuana-derived drugs safely to patients.”

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Sen. Grassley stressed that the bill is “crucial” to better understand the cannabis plant.

“It will enable the FDA to safely and responsibly analyze CBD and medical marijuana products so the American public can make informed decisions about whether to use them in the future, based on solid scientific data,” Grassley said. “Marijuana research has broad support from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and it’s a smart step forward in tackling this current drug.”

Sen. Schatz stressed that federal laws still stand in the way of learning about the potential health benefits of cannabis.

“We are now one step closer to removing excessive barriers that make it difficult for researchers to study the efficacy and safety of marijuana, and hopefully provide patients with more treatment options,” said Schatz.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.