More than 30 states have medical marijuana programs yet scientists are only allowed to use cannabis plants from one U.S. source for their research. That s set to change, as the federal government begins to add more growers to the mix.
After more than 50 years, the federal government is lifting a roadblock to cannabis research that scientists and advocates say has hindered rigorous studies of the plant and possible drug development.
Since 1968, U.S. researchers have been allowed to use cannabis from only one domestic source: a facility based at the University of Mississippi, through a contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
In a landmark announcement by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), scientists conducting medical and scientific research could soon have increased access to cannabis. Since 1968 only one federal agency, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has had the required DEA permission to provide researchers with cannabis from a facility based at the University of Mississippi.
Although more than 30 states in the US now have medical cannabis programs, scientists have been limited by these restrictions.
Some have argued that the NIDA s monopoly for so many years has slowed down scientific investigations into the benefits of this plant. Others have criticized the quality of cannabis coming from the NIDA facility and raised questions surrounding the validity of studies that use it. Back in 2019, researchers at the Scottsdale Research Institute filed a lawsuit against the DEA claiming that The quality of the cannabis from this farm and its delivery logistics are
More than 30 states have medical marijuana programs yet scientists are only allowed to use cannabis plants from one U.S. source for their research. That s set to change, as the federal government begins to add more growers to the mix.
Until recently, plants from only one U.S. facility were approved for use in research. Adding new suppliers will accelerate understanding of cannabis health effects and possible therapeutic uses.
After more than 50 years, the federal government is lifting a roadblock to cannabis research that scientists and advocates say has hindered rigorous studies of the plant and possible drug development.
Since 1968, U.S. researchers have been allowed to use cannabis from only one domestic source: a facility based at the University of Mississippi, through a contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).