The cannabis that is being grown at the University of Mississippi for research purposes has been found to be more similar to hemp than dispensary cannabis, a new study found. This is currently the only cannabis researchers are allowed to use for federally-approved cannabis research, but the DEA is planning on approving more growing facilities.

“Our results clearly demonstrate that NIDA cannabis samples are substantially genetically different from most commercially available drug-type strains and share a genetic affinity with hemp samples in several of the analyses,” the study says. “We do not claim that NIDA is supplying hemp for cannabis research, rather we are confident that our analyses show that the ‘research grade marijuana’ supplied by NIDA is genetically different from the retail drug-type samples analyzed in this study.”

Queen Adesuyi, senior national policy manager at the Drug Policy Alliance, told Cannabis News Box that this isn’t the first time researchers have found the cannabis being grown at this facility is not high in quality.

“This latest study demonstrates yet again why it is critical for us to deschedule cannabis and lift all barriers to cannabis research,” Adesuyi said. “Researchers and advocates have long rang the alarm about how problematic it is to have only a singular DEA-approved cannabis research facility at the University of Mississippi, especially because of concerns related to the cannabis used at this facility.”

Adesuyi said there are many issues with this cannabis. She said it’s simply not the same quality, variety or diversity of cannabis that you can find at a dispensary.

“Cannabis’ status as Schedule 1 substance and the research restrictions that come along with that are impeding in the quality and robustness of research,” she said. “Until we deschedule cannabis, our own antiquated policies stand in the way of much needed research.”

If researchers aren’t able to access high quality cannabis for their research, that could impede their ability to get reliable results from their research. Many legalization advocates have argued researchers should be able to obtain cannabis from state-approved dispensaries.

Descheduling cannabis would, in general, make things a lot easier for these cannabis researchers who want to study the possible medical benefits of cannabis use. It’s not yet clear if Congress will be able to get legalization done in the not-too-distant future, but many Democrats are pushing to get it done before next year’s elections.