December brought good news for Americans. In a historic first, President Biden has signed a medical marijuana research bill into law that will enable scientists to fully explore the medical potential of the marijuana plant. This was a long overdue development that would change the way scientists are able to conduct research on marijuana. This is an exceptional moment because the act will make it possible to identify the potential of the marijuana plant to treat many medical conditions. This will lead to a series of upcoming research and proposals that will be instrumental in reforming cannabis laws at the federal level. Since most states have already legalized marijuana, the law will pave the way for marijuana legalization at the federal level.
Medical Marijuana Research Bill:
The medical marijuana research bill was a bipartisan bill that was introduced in July and has been passed by the House, Senate and House of Representatives. Lawmakers stressed the importance of the bill which is an important step towards changing the status of marijuana. Scientists will now be able to study marijuana more easily. Previously, strict rules and regulations were in place which hindered scientists’ efforts and delayed their research on medical marijuana. This legislation removed those restrictions and has provisions to speed up the approval process for scientific studies related to medical marijuana. Under this legislation, the government is obligated to provide adequate and uninterrupted marijuana to scientists for use in research studies.
The law also requires that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) develop drugs derived from marijuana to determine the benefits of marijuana or CBD as a drug. The law also allows doctors to discuss the harms and benefits of marijuana with their patients. Research on marijuana was very difficult prior to this legislation due to delays in the approval process for studies. Under the new law, the Attorney General is required to approve or request more information about a request for a research study within 60 days. The law also allows universities and research institutions to obtain licenses to grow, manufacture, and possess marijuana for research purposes.
Earlier in October, President Biden pardoned more than 6,500 people convicted of marijuana possession on federal lands. The president also urged state governors to grant amnesty to people convicted of marijuana possession. And he commended the governor of Oregon for doing so. These steps show that the Biden administration is serious about reforming federal laws related to marijuana.
Current federal laws about marijuana:
Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug under federal laws, and its sale, use, possession, and distribution are punishable offenses. However, state governments routinely tax and regulate the production, sales, and regulation of cannabis while the federal government continues to enforce marijuana bans. Despite federal law, millions of Americans obtain marijuana goods in more than 30 states.
Importance of medical marijuana:
Medical marijuana helps hundreds of thousands of patients across countries. The chemicals obtained from the marijuana plant help treat several medical conditions ranging from chronic pain to cancer. Thousands of patients prefer medical marijuana to treat their conditions such as chronic pain, tumors, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Medical marijuana is useful for treating AIDS-related waste syndrome, persistent noncancerous pain, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, and muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. These studies confirm that the therapeutic benefits of marijuana outweigh its harmful consequences, and recommend that it be given to patients who have not responded to other treatments. 37 states in America have legalized medical marijuana use whereby patients can purchase marijuana from dispensaries by showing a state-issued medical marijuana card. And 21 states have legalized recreational marijuana as well. Some states have allowed patients to grow marijuana plants at home.
The future of federal marijuana laws:
Although the current medical marijuana research bill does not change the state of the marijuana timeline and medical marijuana use remains illegal, it can be seen as an important step toward legalizing medical marijuana at the federal level. The new legislation will make room for extensive research into the benefits of marijuana, and eventually the medical use of marijuana can hopefully be legalized in the future. Senators and congressmen are calling for reforms in marijuana laws. Although most Americans support the legalization of marijuana, there have been many opponents in the House of Representatives. Many senators oppose this marijuana measure because they believe it is flawed and incomplete. As the government lifted the strict regulations that were in place for researchers, the day is not far when patients will be able to use medical marijuana on federal lands as well.
minimum:
Marijuana law could open a new market for companies interested in cannabis-based therapies, including global pharmaceutical companies. And if the study is successful, it could eventually lead to marijuana-based goods being advertised and sold with scientifically backed medical claims, without interference from the FDA. US lawmakers claim that for cannabis policy to move forward, research is necessary. Along with the federal government’s efforts to legalize the use of medical marijuana, US states are also working hard to lead the legalization of cannabis. Two states, Maryland and Missouri, have decided to legalize marijuana for adult use due to the 2022 midterm elections, bringing the total number of states with the policy to 22. (Including D.C.). Countries have been pioneers not only in legalization but also in research. Many states have established their own cannabis research initiatives. For example, Colorado has been researching the effects of cannabis on health since 2015, when they invested $9 million in nine clinical studies examining its therapeutic uses. In addition, California has supported academic studies on the effects of adult cannabis use on public health, the economy, the environment, and the criminal justice system.
