President Biden Signs Historic Cannabis Research Bill

President Joe Biden (D) signed the nation’s first-ever standalone cannabis reforms bill on Friday, paving the way for researchers to more easily investigate the medicinal properties of cannabis, Marijuana Moment reports.

The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act originated in the House, sponsored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Andy Harris (R-MD), where it was passed in July with bipartisan support. The Senate version of the bill, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), was formally approved by lawmakers last month.

Under the new law, the U.S. attorney general will have 60 days to either approve a cannabis research application or request additional information from the applicant. The law also increases efficiencies for researchers who request larger quantities of cannabis, the report said.

The Congressional Cannabis Caucus released a joint statement from its co-chairs, which include Blumenauer and fellow Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Brian Mast (R-FL):

“For decades, the federal government has stood in the way of science and progress — peddling a misguided and discriminatory approach to cannabis. Today marks a monumental step in remedying our federal cannabis laws. The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act will make it easier to study the impacts and potential of cannabis.” — Congressional Cannabis Caucus statement, via Marijuana Moment

The White House also released a statement thanking the lawmakers who spearheaded the effort: “Thank you to Representatives Blumenauer, Harris, Griffith, Joyce, Mace, and Perlmutter, Delegate Norton, and Senators Feinstein, Grassley, Schatz, Durbin, Klobuchar, Tillis, Kaine, Ernst, Tester, and Murkowski for their leadership,” the news release said.

The Biden Administration had previously signaled the president’s intent to sign the historic bill.