Medical Marijuana Research and Manufacturing
As of Monday, April 4th, a bill entitled: “HR 5657: Medical Marijuana Research” is currently up to bat and the next contender to be voted on by the Senate. The House passed The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act just last week, which would move to decriminalize marijuana and impose taxes on importers and producers; HR 5657 was an inclusion of that bill. If passed, it would create a more efficient, yet simple, registration process for marijuana researchers and would allow manufacturers of marijuana to provide materials for state-approved research projects. The current process for this is lengthy and requires a separate registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for researchers to study marijuana. Manufacturers also have to register through the DEA. In December of 2020, the DEA issued a new registration process to encompass more growers for research purposes. It took until May of 2021 for the DEA to be near the end of that application list.
HR 5657 enlists the help of both the Health and Human Services Department (HSS) and the Justice Department to streamline an effective process for manufacturers and distributors to supply researchers with products from state-run programs. The eventual goal is to maintain sufficiency from non-federal sources. Prior to any supply exchange, the HSS would have to vet its researchers and manufacturers to ensure that they’re registered with the DEA; it would also provide guidance throughout the continuance of this process.
For manufacturers, any denial must include some sort of written explanation. The DEA doesn’t act within the 60-day allotted time, it would then deem the applicant’s request approved and can move forward in the next phase of that process.
Bill HR 5657 would also restrict the international Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs – a treaty limiting the supply of narcotics globally – from impeding upon marijuana research so long as it complies with the processes outlined in this bill and the Controlled Substances Act.
Prospects and Outlook
The House included bill HR 5657 within the list of inclusions to vote on during the first week in April. In order for it to pass, a two-thirds majority vote is required. The Happy Camper is committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on marijuana legalization! Tune back in for regular updates as this process continues to unfold!
