Harris, Blumenauer Push HHS For Answers on Federal Barriers to Marijuana Research

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD) demandedthe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) remedy the “ineffective implementation” of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act. The letter comes as HHS is overdue to provide Congress a report on federal barriers to cannabis research, as directed by the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act. 

“We are deeply troubled by recent reporting that the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act is not being implemented in line with congressional intent. It is unacceptable that researchers continue to face harmful barriers to cannabis research after Congress expressly encouraged research into this substance,” the lawmakers wrote.  

The lawmakers pressed HHS for specifics on the rollout of this law, including:  

• What is the standard timeline for FDA to issue a decision to approve or deny cannabis-related research applications? How does this compare to timelines for research that is not cannabis related?  
• How many research licensing applications are pending before DEA? What is the average timeline for DEA to approve or deny license applications related to cannabis?  
• What caused the HHS to miss the December 2, 2023, deadline to report to Congress on potential impacts of cannabis and barriers to research?  
• What is HHS’ target deadline to transmit this report to Congress?  
• What specific steps are HHS and the DEA taking to ensure congressional intent to streamline research registration and expand research on cannabis is reflected in updated processes for research application processing and approvals?  

Read the entire letter here.