Student Presenter(s): John Purcell
Faculty Mentor: Joerg Leheste
Department: Biomedical Sciences
School/College: College of Osteopathic Medicine, Jonesboro

Over recent years, the United States has experienced groundbreaking shifts in policy and public opinion regarding the use of marijuana and its compounds. With medicinal marijuana now legal in 33 states and three US territories, as well as adult recreational use in 15 states, a clash exists between state and federal law. Marijuana remains illegal at the Federal level under the controlled substances act, as a Schedule I drug. Limited data from research shows promise in its therapeutic potential to treat a range of disorders yet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved four marijuana-derived drugs for specific uses. A lack of research and data on safety and efficacy can be attributed to the obstacles researchers are faced with when registering to study this Schedule I drug. These regulatory barriers have stunted scientific research and the development of new drugs. Bipartisan lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate recently introduced legislation to promote marijuana research and accelerate the development and FDA approval of new medications. The Cannabidiol and Marijuana Research Expansion Act (S.2032) and Medical Marijuana Research Act (H.R.3797) will primarily ease federal regulations researchers must adhere to. This Health Policy Brief explores the impact the bills would have on various stakeholders including those living with disease, researchers, clinicians, lawmakers and their constituents, as well as law enforcement. The Brief also examines the bills' potential impact on cannabis research and its clinical applications.