Administration proposes elimination of review of non-federally funded marijuana research
June 23, 2015 |07:12 AM
The Health and Human Service Department intends to publish a Federal Register notice today of its intention to eliminate the Public Health Service review of non-federally funded marijuana research.
An HHS spokeswoman said that since 1999, non-federally funded clinical marijuana research required review by the HHS Public Health Service (PHS) Review Committee, but that this process is not required by law and not required for other Schedule I drugs.
“HHS is aware that this committee review is perceived to be an obstacle to non-federally funded research,” the spokeswoman said.
“To facilitate the conduct of additional research, HHS eliminated the PHS Review Committee for non-federally funded medical research on marijuana,” she said.
“Researchers who wish to obtain marijuana for medical research are still required to submit an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) with the Food and Drug Administration and to register with the Drug Enforcement Agency for a Schedule I controlled substance.”
She said HHS has “an important role in a number of issues related to marijuana use.”
“The department expects the action announced today will help facilitate further research to advance our understanding about the health risks and any potential benefits of medications using marijuana or its components or derivatives,” the spokeswoman said, “as well as the health implications of other uses of marijuana.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who introduced legislation to the same effect with Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., praised the decision.
“The White House is right to lift a major barrier to conducting essential medical marijuana research,” Gillibrand said.
“The onerous requirement took too long and cost too much to complete, discouraging research that would have furthered our understanding of medical marijuana and its potential treatment of illness and disease ... the announcement today is an encouraging sign that policy can move in the direction of science.”
“However, other barriers remain,” she said.
“With the anticipated boost in research, we’ll need an adequate supply of marijuana samples that are only available through one provider,” Gillibrand said, adding that her Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act would increase the number of licenses so more providers could grow cannabis for research.
“The incremental progress is encouraging, but we need comprehensive reform to ensure that doctors and researchers have the tools they need to care for patients across the country,” she added.
An HHS spokeswoman said that since 1999, non-federally funded clinical marijuana research required review by the HHS Public Health Service (PHS) Review Committee, but that this process is not required by law and not required for other Schedule I drugs.
“HHS is aware that this committee review is perceived to be an obstacle to non-federally funded research,” the spokeswoman said.
“To facilitate the conduct of additional research, HHS eliminated the PHS Review Committee for non-federally funded medical research on marijuana,” she said.
“Researchers who wish to obtain marijuana for medical research are still required to submit an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) with the Food and Drug Administration and to register with the Drug Enforcement Agency for a Schedule I controlled substance.”
She said HHS has “an important role in a number of issues related to marijuana use.”
“The department expects the action announced today will help facilitate further research to advance our understanding about the health risks and any potential benefits of medications using marijuana or its components or derivatives,” the spokeswoman said, “as well as the health implications of other uses of marijuana.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who introduced legislation to the same effect with Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., praised the decision.
“The White House is right to lift a major barrier to conducting essential medical marijuana research,” Gillibrand said.
“The onerous requirement took too long and cost too much to complete, discouraging research that would have furthered our understanding of medical marijuana and its potential treatment of illness and disease ... the announcement today is an encouraging sign that policy can move in the direction of science.”
“However, other barriers remain,” she said.
“With the anticipated boost in research, we’ll need an adequate supply of marijuana samples that are only available through one provider,” Gillibrand said, adding that her Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act would increase the number of licenses so more providers could grow cannabis for research.
“The incremental progress is encouraging, but we need comprehensive reform to ensure that doctors and researchers have the tools they need to care for patients across the country,” she added.
