A bipartisan coalition of over two-dozen federal lawmakers, including House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL), are backing newly introduced legislation — The Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2018 — to facilitate federally-approved clinical trials involving cannabis.
Passage of this act would end the University of Mississippi’s existing monopoly on the growth of cannabis for clinical research purposes by requiring the licensing of additional manufacturers.
Currently, the US National Institute on Drug Abuse designates the University of Mississippi to be the sole provider of marijuana for FDA-approved research. However, many of those familiar with their product have criticized its quality, opining that it possesses subpar potency, is often poorly manicured, and that it does not accurately reflect the wide variety of cannabis products and strains available to consumers.
Previous efforts to break this monopoly have so far been unsuccessful. In 2007, DEA Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner determined that expanding the pool of federally licensed providers would be “in the public interest.” The agency ultimately rejected her decision. More recently, in 2016, the DEA changed its position and amended regulations in a manner to permit additional applicants to apply to federal licensure to grow marijuana. However, the Justice Department and the US Attorney General have thus far failed to take action on any pending applications.
Under this measure, the Justice Department is mandated to act on any application it receives within one calendar year.
Other provisions in the measure explicitly permits VA physicians to provide information to patients regarding their eligibility in clinical trials, and provides a “safe harbor” for universities, clinicians, and patients participating in federally-approved trials from federal interference.
Please click here to urge your federal lawmakers to support The Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2018!
Please legalize medical marijuana. I have Diabetic Neuropathy and my pain is intense that words can not explain it.
May God bless you richly
So sorry for you Doug. I knew someone with neuropathy, so I understand.
Great to hear, and that it is bi-partisan, so much interest… patients deserve the best options and care. This was also brought up to Sessions the other day…..if I RECALL, lol. Great work, legislators. Now to act on the other Federal measures.
and this took way too long!
This is bullshit ….how many pieces of legislation have been stagnantly floating around the house and senate now, and for how long?! We need goddamn action, not just more grandstanding. And this bill does nothing, everything (newly licensed research applicants) are still completely subject to DEA approval.
That’s because Republicans are in control of the government. And Republicans oppose marijuana legalization.
Vote, and vote Democratic, let’s take over the House, the Senate, and the Presidency.
Then we will have marijuana legalized nationwide.
Vote!
This bill has a weird chance of passing. It’s Big Pharma looking for FDA authorized, patentable supplies of marijuana from the government-parasite-marijuana farm in Hattiesburg, at the University of Mississippii.
Meanwhile, months of delayed marijuana legalization translate into billions in profit for murderous, fentanyl overprescribing murderers like Insys Therapeutics to sell their synthetic, pathetic THC version of dronabinol.
Meanwhile, millions of American marijuana consumers increasingly recognize that the synergy of cannabinoids in whole plant marijuana is real medicine and synthetic THC or CBD alone is not.
Feel that, Insys.
End Marijuana Production Monopoly is very good. Licenses to research and produce should be quicker.
Very good!
Maybe nobody wants to buy Uncle Sam’s ditch weed no more! With strains like “Lead Toxin” and “Head Ache” and “Buzz Kill”… So, maybe a whole new product line and a market rebranding is needed! (parody strain names)
So much for the urban legends about high-potency government weed!