[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 59 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4136-H4140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA RESEARCH ACT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5657) to amend the Controlled Substances Act to make
marijuana accessible for use by qualified marijuana researchers for
medical purposes, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5657
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Medical Marijuana Research
Act''.
SEC. 2. FACILITATING MARIJUANA RESEARCH.
(a) Production and Supply.--The Secretary of Health and
Human Services--
(1) until the date on which the Secretary determines that
manufacturers and distributors (other than the Federal
Government) can ensure a sufficient supply of marijuana (as
defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21
U.S.C. 802), as amended by section 8) intended for research
by qualified marijuana researchers registered pursuant to
paragraph (3) of section 303(f) of the Controlled Substances
Act (21 U.S.C. 823(f)), as added by section 3, shall--
(A) continue, through grants, contracts, or cooperative
agreements, to produce marijuana through the National
Institute on Drug Abuse Drug Supply Program;
(B) not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this Act, act jointly with the Attorney General of the United
States to establish and implement a specialized process for
manufacturers and distributors, notwithstanding the
registration requirements of section 303 of such Act (21
U.S.C. 823), to supply qualified marijuana researchers with
marijuana products--
(i) available through State-authorized marijuana programs;
and
(ii) consistent with the guidance issued under subsection
(c); and
(C) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, jointly convene with the Attorney General a meeting
to initiate the development of the specialized process
described in subparagraph (B); and
(2) beyond the date specified in paragraph (1), may, at the
Secretary's discretion, continue--
(A) through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements,
to so produce marijuana; and
(B) to implement such specialized process.
(b) Requirement To Verify Registration.--Before supplying
marijuana to any person through the National Institute on
Drug Abuse Drug Supply Program or through implementation of
the specialized process established under subsection
(a)(1)(B), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall--
(1) require the person to submit documentation
demonstrating that the person is a qualified marijuana
researcher seeking to conduct research pursuant to section
303(f)(3) of the Controlled Substances Act, as added by
subsection (d) of this section, or a manufacturer duly
registered under section 303(l) of the Controlled Substances
Act, as added by section 3 of this Act; and
(2) not later than 60 days after receipt of such
documentation, review such documentation and verify that the
marijuana will be used for such research (and for no other
purpose authorized pursuant to this Act or the amendments
made by this Act).
(c) Guidance on Use of State-Authorized Marijuana
Programs.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall issue guidance related to marijuana from
State-authorized marijuana programs for research.
(d) Research.--Section 303(f) of the Controlled Substances
Act (21 U.S.C. 823(f)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as
subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively;
[[Page H4137]]
(2) by striking ``(f) The Attorney General'' and inserting
``(f)(1) The Attorney General'';
(3) by striking ``Registration applications'' and inserting
the following:
``(2) Registration applications'';
(4) in paragraph (2), as so designated, by striking
``schedule I'' each place that term appears and inserting
``schedule I, except marijuana,'';
(5) by striking ``Article 7'' and inserting the following:
``(4) Article 7''; and
(6) by inserting before paragraph (4), as so designated,
the following:
``(3)(A) The Attorney General shall register the applicant
to conduct research with marijuana (including any derivative,
extract, preparation, and compound thereof) if, irrespective
of whether the applicant is registered pursuant to paragraphs
(1) and (2)--
``(i) the applicant meets the requirements for being
registered under such paragraphs to dispense, or conduct
research with respect to, controlled substances in schedule
I, II, III, IV, or V;
``(ii) the applicant is compliant with, and authorized to
conduct the activities described in clause (i) under, the
laws of the State in which the applicant practices; and
``(iii) in the case of an applicant pursuing clinical
research, the applicant's clinical research protocol has been
reviewed and authorized to proceed by the Secretary under
section 505(i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
``(B) An applicant registered under subparagraph (A) shall
be referred to in this section as a `qualified marijuana
researcher'.
``(C)(i) Not later than 60 days after the date on which the
Attorney General receives a complete application for
registration under this paragraph, the Attorney General shall
approve or deny the application.
``(ii) For purposes of clause (i), an application shall be
deemed complete when the applicant has submitted
documentation showing that the requirements under
subparagraph (A) are satisfied.
``(iii) In the case of a denial under clause (i), the
Attorney General shall provide a written explanation of the
basis for the denial.
``(D) The Attorney General shall grant an application for
registration under this paragraph unless the Attorney General
determines that the issuance of the registration would be
inconsistent with the public interest. In determining the
public interest, the following factors shall be considered:
``(i) The applicant's experience in dispensing, or
conducting research with respect to, controlled substances.
``(ii) The applicant's conviction record under Federal or
State laws relating to the manufacture, distribution, or
dispensing of controlled substances.
``(iii) Compliance with applicable State or local laws
relating to controlled substance misuse or diversion.
``(iv) Such other conduct which may threaten the public
health and safety.
``(E)(i) A qualified marijuana researcher shall store
marijuana to be used in research in a securely locked,
substantially constructed cabinet.
``(ii) Except as provided in clause (i), any security
measures required by the Attorney General for applicants
conducting research with marijuana pursuant to a registration
under this paragraph shall be consistent with the security
measures for applicants conducting research on other
controlled substances in schedule II that have a similar risk
of diversion and abuse.
``(F)(i) If the Attorney General grants an application for
registration under this paragraph, the applicant may amend or
supplement the research protocol and proceed with the
research under such amended or supplemented protocol, without
additional review or approval by the Attorney General or the
Secretary of Health and Human Services if the applicant does
not change the type of marijuana (including any derivative,
extract, preparation, and compound thereof), the source of
the marijuana, or the conditions under which the marijuana is
stored, tracked, or administered.
``(ii) If an applicant amends or supplements the research
protocol or initiates research on a new research protocol
under clause (i), the applicant shall, in order to renew the
registration under this paragraph, provide notice to the
Attorney General of the amended or supplemented research
protocol or any new research protocol in the applicant's
renewal materials.
``(iii)(I) If an applicant amends or supplements a research
protocol and the amendment or supplement involves a change to
the type of marijuana, the source of the marijuana, or
conditions under which the marijuana is stored, tracked, or
administered, the applicant shall provide notice to the
Attorney General not later than 30 days before proceeding on
such amended or supplemental research or new research
protocol, as the case may be.
``(II) If the Attorney General does not object during the
30-day period following a notification under subclause (I),
the applicant may proceed with the amended or supplemental
research or new research protocol.
``(iv) The Attorney General may object to an amended or
supplemental protocol or a new research protocol under clause
(i) or (iii) only if additional security measures are needed
to safeguard against diversion or abuse.
``(G) If marijuana is listed on a schedule other than
schedule I, the provisions of paragraphs (1), (2), and (4)
that apply to research with a controlled substance in the
applicable schedule shall apply to research with marijuana or
that compound, as applicable, in lieu of the provisions of
subparagraphs (A) through (F) of this paragraph.
``(H) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as
limiting the authority of the Secretary under section 505(i)
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or over
requirements related to research protocols, including changes
in--
``(i) the method of administration of marijuana;
``(ii) the dosing of marijuana; and
``(iii) the number of individuals or patients involved in
research.''.
SEC. 3. MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MARIJUANA FOR USE IN
LEGITIMATE RESEARCH.
Section 303 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
823), as amended by section 2, is further amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(l) Registration of Persons To Manufacture and Distribute
Marijuana for Use in Legitimate Research.--
``(1) Registration of manufacturers.--
``(A) In general.--Beginning not later than the day that is
1 year after the date of enactment of the Medical Marijuana
Research Act, the Attorney General, pursuant to subsection
(f)(3) and subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph,
shall register an applicant to manufacture marijuana
(including any derivative, extract, preparation, and compound
thereof) that is intended for--
``(i) use by qualified marijuana researchers for research
pursuant to subsection (f)(3); or
``(ii) subsequent downstream manufacture by a duly
registered manufacturer for use by qualified marijuana
researchers for research pursuant to subsection (f)(3).
``(B) Public interest.--The Attorney General shall register
an applicant under subparagraph (A) unless the Attorney
General determines that the issuance of such registration is
inconsistent with the public interest. In determining the
public interest, the Attorney General shall take into
consideration--
``(i) maintenance of effective controls against diversion
of marijuana and any controlled substance compounded
therefrom into other than legitimate medical, scientific, or
research channels;
``(ii) compliance with applicable State and local laws
relating to controlled substance misuse and diversion;
``(iii) prior conviction record of the applicant under
Federal or State laws relating to the manufacture,
distribution, or dispensing of such substances; and
``(iv) such other conduct which may threaten the public
health and safety.
``(2) Registration of distributors.--
``(A) In general.--Beginning not later than the day that is
1 year after the date of enactment of the Medical Marijuana
Research Act, the Attorney General shall register an
applicant to distribute marijuana (including any derivative,
extract, preparation, and compound thereof) that is intended
for use by qualified marijuana researchers for research
pursuant to subsection (f)(3) or intended for subsequent
downstream manufacture by a duly registered manufacturer for
use by qualified marijuana researchers for research pursuant
to such subsection, unless the Attorney General determines
that the issuance of such registration is inconsistent with
the public interest.
``(B) Public interest.--In determining the public interest
under subparagraph (A), the Attorney General shall take into
consideration--
``(i) the factors specified in clauses (i), (ii), (iii),
and (iv) of paragraph (1)(B); and
``(ii) past experience in the distribution of controlled
substances, and the existence of effective controls against
diversion.
``(3) No limit on number of manufacturers and
distributors.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Attorney General shall not impose or implement any limit
on the number of persons eligible to be registered to
manufacture or distribute marijuana pursuant to paragraph (1)
or (2).
``(4) Requirement to verify use for legitimate research.--
As a condition of registration under this section to
manufacture or distribute marijuana, the Attorney General
shall require the registrant--
``(A) to require any person to whom the marijuana will be
supplied to submit documentation demonstrating that the
marijuana (including any derivative, extract, preparation,
and compound thereof) will be used by qualified marijuana
researchers for research pursuant to subsection (f)(3) or for
subsequent downstream manufacture by a duly registered
manufacturer for use by qualified marijuana researchers for
research pursuant to such subsection;
``(B) in the case of distribution, to complete, with
respect to that distribution, the appropriate order form in
accordance with section 308 and to upload such forms to the
system used by the Drug Enforcement Administration for such
distribution;
``(C) to include in the labeling of any marijuana so
manufactured or distributed--
``(i) the following statement: `This material is for
biomedical and scientific research purposes only.'; and
``(ii) the name of the requestor of the marijuana;
``(D) to limit the transfer and sale of any marijuana under
this subsection--
``(i) to researchers who are registered under this Act to
conduct research with marijuana or to manufacturers duly
registered under this subsection; and
[[Page H4138]]
``(ii) for purposes of use in preclinical research or in a
clinical investigation pursuant to an investigational new
drug exemption under 505(i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act or for the purposes of further manufacturing of
marijuana; and
``(E) to transfer or sell any marijuana manufactured under
this subsection only with prior, written consent for the
transfer or sale by the Attorney General.
``(5) Timing.--Not later than 60 days after receipt of a
request for registration under this subsection to manufacture
or distribute marijuana, the Attorney General shall--
``(A) grant or deny the request; and
``(B) in the case of a denial, provide a written
explanation of the basis for the denial.
``(6) Deemed approval.--If the Attorney General fails to
grant or deny a request for registration under this
subsection to manufacture or distribute marijuana within the
60-day period referred to in paragraph (5), such request is
deemed approved.''.
SEC. 4. TERMINATION OF INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEW PROCESS FOR
NON-NIH-FUNDED QUALIFIED MARIJUANA RESEARCHERS.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may not--
(1) reinstate the Public Health Service interdisciplinary
review process described in the guidance entitled ``Guidance
on Procedures for the Provision of Marijuana for Medical
Research'' (issued on May 21, 1999); or
(2) create an additional review of scientific protocols
that is only conducted for research on marijuana other than
the review of research protocols performed at the request of
a qualified marijuana researcher conducting nonhuman research
that is not federally funded, in accordance with section
303(f)(3)(A) of the Controlled Substances Act, as added by
section 2 of this Act.
SEC. 5. CONSIDERATION OF RESULTS OF RESEARCH.
Immediately upon the approval by the Food and Drug
Administration of an application for a drug that contains
marijuana (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802), as amended by section 8 of
this Act) under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355), and (irrespective of whether
any such approval is granted) not later than the date that is
5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall--
(1) conduct a review of existing medical and other research
with respect to marijuana;
(2) submit a report to the Congress on the results of such
review; and
(3) include in such report whether, taking into
consideration the factors listed in section 201(c) of the
Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811(c)), as well as any
potential for medical benefits, any gaps in research, and any
impacts of Federal restrictions and policy on research,
marijuana should be transferred to a schedule other than
schedule I (if marijuana has not been so transferred
already).
SEC. 6. PRODUCTION QUOTAS FOR MARIJUANA GROWN FOR LEGITIMATE,
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
Section 306 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
826) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(j) The Attorney General may only establish a quota for
production of marijuana that is manufactured and distributed
in accordance with the Medical Marijuana Research Act that
meets the changing medical, scientific, and industrial needs
for marijuana.''.
SEC. 7. ARTICLE 28 OF THE SINGLE CONVENTION ON NARCOTIC
DRUGS.
Article 28 of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs shall
not be construed to prohibit, or impose additional
restrictions upon, research involving marijuana, or the
manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of marijuana, that
is conducted in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act
(21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), this Act, and the amendments made by
this Act.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Qualified Marijuana Researcher.--In this Act, the term
``qualified marijuana researcher'' has the meaning given the
term in section 303(f)(3) of the Controlled Substances Act,
as added by section 2(d) of this Act.
(b) Updating Term.--Section 102(16) of the Controlled
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(16)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the term `marihuana'
means'' and inserting ``the terms `marihuana' and `marijuana'
mean''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``The term `marihuana'
does not'' and inserting ``The terms `marihuana' and
`marijuana' do not''.
SEC. 9. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall
be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 5657.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5657, the Medical Marijuana
Research Act.
Last week, Congress considered and passed the MORE Act, which
effectively removes marijuana from the strictest category of regulation
under the Controlled Substances Act. Today, medical marijuana is
approved and regulated in 37 States, the District of Columbia, Guam,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These actions highlight the
need for increased research about safety and efficacy of the marijuana
products being consumed by millions of Americans.
Unfortunately, comprehensive research on marijuana has been regulated
in a restrictive, time-consuming way, and the current body of research
is not representative of the products available to the average American
adult consumer.
H.R. 5657 is a bipartisan bill that streamlines the registration
process for scientists seeking to engage in cannabis research. It also
maintains the appropriate oversight and control by the Department of
Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The bill requires HHS and DEA to respond to registration applicants
in a timely manner and expands the number of federally approved
manufacturers and distributors that can supply marijuana products for
research purposes.
The bill also creates a special process to allow State-authorized
marijuana to be used for research purposes. This is an important step
toward understanding the positive and negative health effects of the
products being frequently consumed by people across our country.
The House passed this bill by a voice vote in the 116th Congress. The
Senate also passed a similar measure last Congress and did so again by
unanimous consent last month.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representatives Blumenauer, Harris,
Holmes Norton, Dingell, Cohen, Griffith, Lee, and Case for their
leadership on this issue. I look forward to working with them and our
colleagues in the Senate to expand comprehensive cannabis research and
protect the health of our constituents.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5657, the
Medical Marijuana Research Act.
I first thank Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Harris, and, of course, the
chairman of the committee, but Mr. Harris and Mr. Blumenauer are the
lead sponsors of this legislation.
Though our long-term goals for marijuana regulation may differ, the
three of us share a strong conviction that scientific data should form
the basis for policymaking whenever possible. For four Congresses now,
we have joined forces to advocate for more research on the use of
cannabis products to treat medical conditions.
My belief that medical marijuana probably can be beneficial when used
in the proper setting for treatment of certain medical conditions is
based largely on anecdotal evidence from constituents and citizens.
Despite the increasing use of cannabis products around the country,
there have been very few legitimate, peer-reviewed studies to determine
the effects of cannabis on the body, particularly over a long period of
time.
This lack of research is due, in large part, to the Federal
Government standing in the way. Marijuana's schedule I status makes it
extremely difficult for scientists to, one, obtain approval to conduct
cannabis research; and, two, obtain a quality product of marijuana to
use for that research.
[[Page H4139]]
H.R. 5657 addresses both of these issues. It encourages medical
marijuana research by establishing a new set of research standards that
are specific to cannabis. This will allow cannabis to remain classified
as a schedule I substance while increasing access for those who wish to
study it.
It also ensures the availability of verified cannabis products
necessary for legitimate research by establishing a new registration
process. Entities who choose to register and are approved will be able
to legally manufacture and distribute marijuana for the purpose of
conducting such research.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell), who is one of the
sponsors of this legislation.
{time} 1730
Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Medical
Marijuana Research Act, legislation that would modernize Federal rules
and procedures to facilitate additional medical research into the
impacts of medical marijuana.
We have seen dramatic changes in the legal status of marijuana at the
State level, my State included. Sales of recreational marijuana began
in my home State of Michigan in 2019, and medical marijuana is now
legal in 37 States. However, the Federal framework for conducting
marijuana research is decades old and has not kept pace with these
changes.
Currently, scientists in the United States looking to conduct
research on marijuana must contend with a heavy-handed, duplicative
registration and licensure process. Additionally, researchers are
limited to using marijuana grown at a single location overseen by the
National Institute on Drug Abuse at the University of Mississippi.
Collectively, these outdated, bureaucratic barriers and Federal
roadblocks greatly limit our understanding of the health impacts of
marijuana and prevent qualified researchers from engaging in further
study.
The Medical Marijuana Research Act will modernize the cumbersome
process by streamlining marijuana research registration applications.
It will also direct FDA to issue guidelines on the production of
marijuana and ensure that adequate amounts are available for research.
The legislation also mandates a comprehensive review of the available
body of research on marijuana by the Secretary of Health and Human
Services 5 years after enactment.
I thank my colleagues, Representatives Blumenauer, Harris, Norton,
Cohen, Griffith, Barbara Lee, and Case, who led this with me to get
this legislation passed.
Additionally, I recognize Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member Rodgers
of Washington, as well as the Energy and Commerce Committee staff, for
their very thoughtful input and efforts.
Madam Speaker, it is high time we modernize our Nation's Federal
regulations to facilitate legitimate medical research into the impacts
of marijuana, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I yield to gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Harris) as much time as he may consume.
Mr. HARRIS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for
yielding me time.
Mr. Blumenauer and I have jointly led and sponsored this bill for
four Congresses. Although we disagree about recreational marijuana--he
supports it; I oppose it--as a physician, I realize that if we are
going to have medical marijuana legal, as the gentlewoman from Michigan
says, in over three dozen States, we really ought to do research on it
to see what it is used for and what it can't be used for because, Madam
Speaker, many claims are made about it. Some are legitimate; some are
illegitimate.
The American public, if we are to have this product legal in 37
States now, they deserve to know whether it works for what the claims
are made.
What this bill does is simple. It makes it easier to do rigorous
medical research, the same type of research we expect to be done on any
of the drugs that are sold as medicines in this country. That is what
this bill does.
It has been a long time coming. I thank the chairman for bringing
this bill out. Hopefully, it gets across the finish line in both Houses
and goes to the President's desk for signature.
Madam Speaker, the American public deserves to know what medical
marijuana is useful for because, again, for anyone who has one of the
conditions that it might be useful for, this could be a godsend. For
other conditions where it is claimed, it will be found to be not
effective, but the American public needs to know.
The Medical Marijuana Research Act is the way to get this done.
Modernize our research methods. Bring them up to the scientific
standards we use for every other type of medication in this country
that is sold as a drug.
Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 5657.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I would say, Madam Chair, you have heard the comments from both sides
of the aisle. We need the research. It is good for the American public
to know whether or not this stuff works.
But you hear accounts from citizens that they are having to buy
marijuana on the street. Maybe they can get it in some of these States
now. But when you are dealing with epilepsy, for example, they have to
boil up a tincture to make sure that it has the CBD and some level of
THC, but nobody really knows what level of THC is necessary to help
with juvenile epilepsy. We just don't know. We have no research.
Parents out there, concerned about the well-being of their children,
have turned their children into guinea pigs. Yet, because in many
States it is still illegal, and was illegal until just a few years ago,
they haven't been able to report their findings to anybody who is
working on this in an official sense.
It is time that ends. Let's do research on cannabis. I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Let me agree with my Republican colleague that this is very important
because there really hasn't been enough research done on marijuana and
the impacts of it.
That is why this bill really needs to pass, and I urge my colleagues,
on a bipartisan basis, to support it. I yield back the balance of my
time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R.
5657, the Medical Marijuana Research Act.
The purpose of this bill is to amend the Controlled Substances Act to
make marijuana accessible for use by qualified marijuana researchers
for medical purposes, and for other purposes.
This bill establishes new, separate registration requirements to
facilitate medical marijuana research.
It will remove the barriers on conducting cannabis research, by
allowing scientists to access products from dispensaries that are
legally authorized by state law.
Current barriers include the burdensome registration process,
redundant protocol reviews, lack of adequate research material, and
unnecessarily onerous security requirements.
The act will speed up the process for researchers to apply and get
approved to study cannabis.
It will also set clear deadlines on federal agencies to act on their
registration applications.
The bill also makes it easier for scientists to modify their research
protocols without having to seek federal approval.
It would additionally require that the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) license more growers.
With this requirement there would be no limit on the number of
additional entities that can be registered to cultivate marijuana for
research purposes.
For half a century, researchers have only been able to study
marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi, because it is the
only federally approved facility.
These researchers have complained that it is difficult to obtain the
medical marijuana at the facility, and when they do obtain it, it is
low quality.
The medical marijuana that researchers at the University of
Mississippi have access to is often compared to industrial hemp, a
botanical class of Cannabis sativa that is grown specifically for
industrial and medical use.
There are many differences between hemp and marijuana such as:
[[Page H4140]]
Hemp is specifically bred to produce plants because of its strong
durable fibers, whereas marijuana is bred specifically for its resin
properties, which is used for recreational purposes.
Hemp is bred to have less than .03 percent THC. THC is the mood-
altering compound in marijuana. Regular marijuana has 1 percent to 30
percent of THC.
The hemp plant produces a high level of CBD oil and low levels of THC
resin. Marijuana has a low level of CBD oil, and high levels of THC
resin.
In humans, the CBD oil produced by the hemp plant works on the
inflammatory systems of the brain which is why some patients say they
get relief after using it. Marijuana works on the part of the brain
that regulates mood and hunger.
The cannabis that government-authorized institutions typically access
is more like hemp than marijuana, and marijuana is what consumers use
in the real world.
These researchers need to have access to marijuana and not facility-
grown hemp to further our education around the drug.
With this bill, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) and the U.S. attorney general would be required to create a
process for marijuana manufacturers and distributors to supply
researchers with cannabis from dispensaries.
This will allow researchers to be able to study the recreational
marijuana that is being used and sold from state-legal businesses,
instead of having to use only government grown cannabis.
Ninety-nine percent of Americans live in a state that has legalized
some form of cannabis, yet the federal law is still hindering
researchers' ability to study all the full range of health benefits.
Providing researchers with the actual marijuana that consumers are
purchasing is the only way to provide the most efficient and relevant
results.
We need to stop making researchers jump through regulatory hoops in
their efforts to study the medical potential of the plant.
Expanding the marijuana studies will help ensure that Americans have
adequate access to these potentially life changing medicines and
treatments.
There are about 4 million registered cannabis patients in the United
States, and likely millions more are self-medicating.
The United States leads the world in biomedical research yet research
on cannabis, a drug that many of our citizens benefit from and are
already using, lags far behind.
Limiting the resources for this research will leave patients, health
care professionals, and policy makers without the evidence needed to
make sound decisions about the use of marijuana.
I ask my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 5657 because
providing the resources for this research could make the difference in
millions of lives.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5657, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
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