For over five decades, cannabis research in the United States has been severely limited due to federal regulations that mandated researchers to obtain cannabis exclusively from the University of Mississippi. However, this federally sanctioned cannabis did not accurately represent the products available in dispensaries across the country, significantly restricting the scope of research and leading many researchers to conduct their studies overseas.
Fortunately, a significant change at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is set to transform the landscape of cannabis research, benefiting medical marijuana patients and potentially influencing the broader legal status of cannabis. Cultivators and industry experts believe that these new regulations will be monumental in advancing scientific knowledge about cannabis.
George Hodgin, CEO of California-based Biopharmaceutical Research Co. (BRC), expressed his excitement about this development. BRC is among the numerous organizations that have received preliminary approval from the DEA to cultivate cannabis for research purposes.
One of the main issues with the federally sanctioned cannabis grown at the University of Mississippi is its poor quality, which has hindered clinical trials and impeded rigorous research on medical marijuana in the United States. Researchers have described this cannabis as “junk” and more genetically similar to hemp than to marijuana available in dispensaries. Its appearance has even been likened to green talcum powder.
The authorization for multiple producers and growers marks a groundbreaking advancement for cannabis research. It enables organizations like BRC to legally grow and distribute cannabis across state lines, which is crucial for advancing scientific understanding and developing wellness products, medical drugs, pharmaceutical products, and intellectual property related to legal cannabis products.
Dr. Igor Grant from the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California San Diego emphasized the challenges faced by researchers in obtaining quality cannabis for studies. While he acknowledged that earlier studies received flower with a THC content as low as 7%, recent batches have reached 13% THC. Dr. Grant emphasized that the issue extends beyond THC content, highlighting the importance of exploring different cannabinoids and delivery methods.
Dr. Ethan Russo, a prominent cannabis researcher, expressed cautious optimism about the recent policy change. He noted that promises to improve cannabis research have been made in the past but have not materialized. Dr. Russo hopes for a future where researchers can conduct clinical trials with domestically produced, standardized cannabis-derived medicines, bringing an end to the limitations that have hampered cannabis therapeutics research.
Dr. Steven Groff, founder of Groff North America, underscored the significance of this development for his physician-owned cannabis company. Noting that there are numerous medical applications that have yet to be fully explored, he emphasized the importance of data-driven research in propelling the medical potential of marijuana forward. The new guidelines remove limitations on the types of cannabis preparations his company can manufacture.
In addition to its impact on research and pharmaceutical development, Dr. Groff believes that these changes could have far-reaching implications for the legal status of cannabis as a whole. Currently classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance by the federal government (with no recognized medical value and a high potential for abuse), rescheduling cannabis to Schedule 2 would acknowledge its medical utility while still recognizing its potential dangers.
The legal status of cannabis has created challenges for both patients and researchers. Despite being considered dangerous with no medicinal value at the federal level, the vast majority of states have legalized its medical use and production. Recently, a lawsuit was filed by an Arizona-based medical marijuana researcher and three veterans challenging the current scheduling system’s harm. The scheduling affects risk assessments and insurance coverage related to cannabis.
While researchers now have access to better-quality cannabis from multiple producers, another avenue for obtaining research-ready cannabis would be using the same products available in dispensaries. A provision approved by the US House of Representatives in July 2020 aimed to provide researchers with access to samples and strains of marijuana and cannabis products legally available in states that have legalized cannabis. This provision has the potential to enhance research on cannabis-impaired driving and enable interstate distribution for research purposes.
In conclusion, the recent DEA rule change is a significant milestone in advancing cannabis research in the United States. It not only expands access to higher-quality cannabis for scientific investigation but also holds promise for reshaping the legal status of cannabis. These developments will undoubtedly contribute to a deeper understanding of cannabis’s therapeutic potential and pave the way for further medical advancements in this field.
