Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Pat Leahy (D-VT), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have introduced legislation, the “Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act”.
The Act requires the Attorney General to make a determination as to whether cannabidiol should be reclassified under the Controlled Substances Act and would expand research on the potential medical benefits of cannabidiol and other marijuana components.
Cannabidiol is a non-psychotropic compound in the plant that possesses various therapeutic properties, including anti-convulsant activity. Clinical trials have determined it to be safe and well tolerated in human subjects. States Nora Volkow, director of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cannabidiol is “a safe drug with no addictive effects.”
To date, 16 states have enacted laws exempting CBD from the definition of marijuana. However, patients in these states still lack access to CBD because it is classified as a schedule I controlled substance under federal law.
“I strongly believe that more research into the potential medical benefits of marijuana, specifically cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component of marijuana, is needed,” Senator Feinstein said. “This narrowly focused bill takes a responsible approach by cutting the red tape associated with marijuana research. It paves the way for new research to be conducted to determine if cannabidiol can be an effective medication for serious illnesses, such as intractable epilepsy. Our bill also maintains safeguards to protect against illegal diversion.”
Currently pending before Senator Grassley’s Judiciary Committee is S. 683: The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act. The measure seeks to strengthen statewide medical marijuana protections and impose various changes to federal law. Despite growing public and political support for the amendments proposed by the CARERS Act however, Senator Grassley has so far refused to consider hearing the bill.
The full text of the Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act can be viewed here.
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National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
