Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act
Dec 2, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 2257
Became law: Dec 2, 2022
Dec 2, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 2257
Became law: Dec 2, 2022
Summary
Creates a simpler and faster process for researchers to get approval to study marijuana and develop new medicines from it.
What problem does this solve?
Strict government rules made it very hard for scientists to study marijuana to see if it could be used as medicine. This law simplifies the rules and sets deadlines for the government to approve research applications, making it easier to conduct studies.
What does this law do?
Faster approval for marijuana researchers
Requires the Attorney General to approve or request more information on a researcher's application within 60 days, and to make a final decision within 30 days of receiving that information.
Allows doctors to discuss marijuana with patients
Makes it clear that it is not a federal crime for a state-licensed doctor to talk about the potential harms and benefits of marijuana as a treatment with a patient or their legal guardian.
Simplifies changes to research plans
Allows approved researchers to make some changes to their studies without government review. For bigger changes, they only need to notify the government, which has 30 days to object.
Requires a federal report on marijuana
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the medical effects of marijuana and cannabidiol, the impact of THC on the brain, and barriers to research.
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Applications to manufacture marijuana for research
Streamlines approval for research marijuana growers
Sets a 60-day deadline for the Attorney General to act on applications from those who want to grow marijuana for scientific research.
Ends an extra review process for marijuana research
Stops the Secretary of Health and Human Services from using an old, extra review process that was only required for marijuana research, making the process more like research on other substances.
Who does this affect?
- Medical and scientific researchers
- Universities and research institutions
- Pharmaceutical companies
What is the real world impact?
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Encourages medical discovery
Simplifies the process for scientists to study marijuana, which could lead to new, FDA-approved medicines for serious health conditions.
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Protects doctors and patients
Allows doctors to legally discuss the potential benefits and risks of using marijuana as a treatment with their patients without fear of federal punishment.
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Opens the door for new drugs
Creates a clear path for drug companies to get approval to grow marijuana and make new, FDA-approved drugs, which could be very profitable.
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A step toward changing federal law
By making research easier, this law could produce scientific evidence that might be used to argue for changing marijuana's legal status from a Schedule I drug, which is the most restrictive category.
When does this start?
This law became effective on December 2, 2022, and includes several deadlines for government agencies.
Report on Marijuana Research
By December 2, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must give Congress a report on the medical effects of marijuana and research barriers.
New Research Regulations
By December 2, 2023, the Attorney General must create new rules for how researchers can change their study plans.
Researcher Application Deadline
The Attorney General has 60 days to approve a researcher's application or ask for more information after it is submitted.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Applications to manufacture marijuana for research
Manufacturer Application Deadline
The Attorney General has 60 days to approve a manufacturer's application to grow research marijuana or ask for more information.