ASA-Supported, Bipartisan Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act Signed into Law

Last month, President Biden signed into law the ASA-supported Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, legislation that would encourage research on marijuana and its potential benefits by removing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) barriers and streamlining the application process for researchers. The bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and cosponsored by ASA member and physician anesthesiologist Representative Andy Harris (R-MD-1).

H.R. 8454 amends the Controlled Substances Act to make marijuana accessible for use by qualified marijuana researchers for medical purposes. In a systematic review presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2019, preliminary evidence suggests that medical marijuana could lessen opioid use and potential abuse. ASA supports rigorous scientific research on the safety and efficacy of the drug. 

ASA applauds Congress and President Biden for advancing this legislation.

Read the bill text here.