Bill Overview
Title: Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act
Description: This act establishes a new, separate registration process to facilitate research on marijuana. Specifically, the act directs the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to follow procedures specified in the act to register (1) practitioners to conduct marijuana research, and (2) manufacturers to supply marijuana for the research. The act allows certain registered entities (including institutions of higher education, practitioners, and manufacturers) to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess marijuana or cannabidiol (CBD) for the purposes of medical research. Additionally, the act directs the DEA to register manufacturers and distributors of CBD or marijuana for the purpose of commercial production of an approved drug that contains marijuana or its derivative. Finally, the act includes various other provisions, including provisions that require the DEA to assess whether there is an adequate and uninterrupted supply of marijuana for research purposes; prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from reinstating the interdisciplinary review process for marijuana research; allow physicians to discuss the potential harms and benefits of marijuana and its derivatives (including CBD) with patients; and require HHS, in coordination with the National Institutes of Health and relevant federal agencies, to report on the therapeutic potential of marijuana for various conditions such as epilepsy, as well as the impact on adolescent brains and on the ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Sponsors: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by changes in medical marijuana and cannabidiol research
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The legislation primarily affects researchers in the field of medical marijuana and cannabidiol, including practitioners and manufacturers.
- Individuals and communities involved in marijuana research, including universities and medical research institutions, will be directly impacted.
- Patients currently or potentially using medical marijuana or cannabidiol products may be indirectly affected through changes in research and product availability and guidance from healthcare providers.
- Healthcare professionals who discuss marijuana and cannabidiol with patients will be impacted by the legislation, due to the emphasis on allowing discussions of benefits and risks.
- The legislation may also influence policymakers and law enforcement agencies, given its focus on DEA procedures and drug registration.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a niche population involved in the medical marijuana research and healthcare sectors. The primary targets include researchers, medical practitioners, and indirectly, patients using or considering marijuana-based treatments.
- The $120,500,000 budget over 10 years implies gradual implementation and primarily affects research institutions needing funding and support for larger, organized studies.
- Patients who currently use marijuana medically will not see immediate changes in wellbeing but could benefit in the long term from enhanced research, leading to better products and clearer medical advice.
- The budget sustainability across 10 years indicates minor, rather than drastic, changes in funding per individual researcher or institution.
- With a population estimate of 20,000,000 potentially impacted in the U.S. and given the budget, not all individuals within the target demographics will experience significant change.
Simulated Interviews
Medical Researcher (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly enhance our research capabilities by ensuring a steady supply of necessary compounds.
- Funding and reduced bureaucratic hurdles will likely accelerate the progress we can make in understanding CBD's benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired, Medical Marijuana User (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 64 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this bill leads to more solid evidence for what I've experienced with using medical marijuana.
- I would like my doctors to have clearer guidance on advising patients about marijuana.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
General Practitioner (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a game-changer for evidence-based practice in discussing marijuana with patients.
- I look forward to the HHS reports for better-informed patient consultations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Commercial Cannabis Manufacturer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding research could create more business opportunities for suppliers like us.
- It would be easier to navigate regulations with clearer DEA guidelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (Boulder, Colorado)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy makes the field more appealing as a career option due to the potential for enhanced research and product development.
- I see opportunities for new academic research ventures arising from this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Stay-at-home Parent, Uses CBD products (Austin, Texas)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased research can provide reassurance about long-term safety of my CBD use.
- I look forward to more products that might be available as research expands.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Policymaker (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This national policy may guide our state-level regulations toward a more research-backed approach.
- I am interested in how the DEA and HHS assess supply adequacy for research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Health Advocate and Educator (New York, New York)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more scientifically-supported data on marijuana and CBD will enhance our educational sessions with patients.
- I anticipate updating our educational materials to include new findings from expanded research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
University Research Assistant (Miami, Florida)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could help remove delays caused by regulatory red tape, allowing research to progress faster.
- It will clarify DEA protocols and make it easier to acquire research grade cannabinoids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Family Physician (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 59 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy allows for improved patient discussions regarding marijuana use, easing my ability to advise safely.
- Expecting more comprehensive therapeutic data, I look forward to more informed consultations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $14000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $19000000)
Year 3: $13000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $18000000)
Year 5: $12000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $17000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Key Considerations
- The registration and monitoring processes will require significant initial investment but are expected to decrease as systems become more efficient.
- Potential savings in healthcare could offset some of the costs associated with implementing this bill.
- The impact on GDP and tax revenue is expected to be positive in the long term, primarily due to commercialization and utilization innovations.