If a bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers get their way, researchers could soon get their hands on cannabis purchased from state-legal pot shops. 

A letter was sent to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and United States Attorney General William Barr on December 6, prompting better access to weed for scientists. 

The Justice Department must now review the letter, which was penned by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Congressman Harley Rouda (D-CA); the duo represented 19 lawmakers in sending the letter.

Included in the letter was information pertaining to the most recent discoveries by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bipartisan lawmakers used their evidence to paint a picture of the harsh restrictions currently limiting cannabis research.

Existing policies should be amended “to allow researchers with Schedule I licenses to obtain cannabis-derived products from state-authorized dispensaries for research purposes,” wrote the lawmakers.

Cannabis’ schedule I classification leaves scientists with minimal sources to fill their stash

At the current time, scientists don’t have much choice in regards to obtaining cannabis materials for research purposes. Just the University of Mississippi is in ownership of a government license for research-grade cannabis cultivation, but the university’s plant quality has been heavily disapproved of by scientists.

“There is a need for a greater diversity of cannabis products so that research on benefits and risks reflects the realities of what consumers and patients are using. NIH and FDA have strongly recommended streamlining the process for conducting research and product development activities with cannabis and other Schedule I substances, and that the DEA take action to assure that interpretations of processes and policies are universally applied in local DEA jurisdictions,” lawmakers wrote in the letter.

In addition to Schatz and Rouda, signatures were also received from Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA) Joe Kennedy (D-MA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL).

“In many states, cannabis law and regulations already provide for licensing of industrial manufacturing activities, and products are available for medical use in those states, but not for research leading to FDA licensure,” the lawmakers added.

Congressman describes existing cannabis law as “archaic”

There has been a serious delay in the approval of research-grade cannabis cultivators by the DEA, which has not reviewed any grower applications for the past three years. Rouda said – in a recent press release – that the laws pertaining to cannabis research are “archaic”.

“Forty-seven states have legalized some form of cannabis consumption—we must ensure our federal agencies and other licensed institutions can comprehensively study the benefits and risks of cannabis products,” Rouda explained.

Fortunately, following a three-year wait since the Agency announced it would start reviewing applications, cannabis research is finally gaining momentum. Although no date has been revealed for the approval of research-grade cannabis cultivators in the U.S., the Agency confirmed in August that it would begin making progress.

“I am pleased that DEA is moving forward with its review of applications for those who seek to grow [cannabis] legally to support research,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “The Department of Justice will continue to work with our colleagues at the Department of Health and Human Services and across the Administration to improve research opportunities wherever we can.”

The lawmakers have also requested that the DEA eliminates hemp – which was legalized as per the terms of the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed last December – from the license requirements.

A response has been requested from the Justice Department with a December 20 deadline.