Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina helped introduce bipartisan legislation Monday that would ease federal barriers imposed on researchers who try to study the potential medical benefits of marijuana.
"When it comes to our nation's efforts to cure diseases and improve the quality of life for people suffering from ailments, burdensome government regulations shouldn't be an impediment to legitimate and responsible medical research," Tillis said.
The Marijuana Effective Drug Studies Act of 2016, also known as the MEDS Act, has broad bipartisan support.
In the Senate, the bill was introduced by Tillis as well as U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Chris Coons, D-Del. In the House, similar legislation was introduced by U.S. Reps. Andy Harris, R-Md., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., H. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and Sam Farr, D-Calif.
Tillis aides stressed that the bill does not take a position on legalization.
"Senator Tillis supports giving medical researchers the tools and flexibility to conduct more effective research," said Daniel Keylin, a Tillis spokesman. "Once we have the improved research and data on safety and effectiveness, elected officials would be able to make more informed public policy decisions."
For his part, Tillis said the MEDS Act is a "commonsense, bipartisan effort to remove unnecessary barriers that will give scientists the ability to study the biochemical processes, impact, dosing, risks and possible benefits of cannabidiol and other components of the marijuana plant."
There are several medical research institutions in North Carolina, including the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. But it was unclear Monday night to what extent the bill would affect them; the MEDS Act does not benefit any specific institution.
"Any effort by North Carolina's elite research institutions to further our knowledge of the therapeutic compounds extracted from the marijuana plant would be very much welcomed," said Keylin.
The bill would establish a faster process for obtaining approval from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to conduct research.
Under current law, researchers must deal with several federal agencies and a complex application process, according to Schatz' office. The process for each study can take more than a year, and researchers must start anew if they try to alter the study.
The bill would also eliminate a requirement imposed by some DEA field offices that marijuana must be kept in bolted safes, which is not possible in many research and clinical settings, according to Schatz's office.
The MEDS Act is supported by several medical groups, including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Society of Addiction Medicine, American Preventive Medical Association, American Pain Society and American Society of Anesthesiologists.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Senator Tillis Supports Bill That Would Aid Study Of Medical Marijuana
Author: Bertrand M. Gutierrez
Contact: (336)727-7211
Photo Credit: David Rolfe
Website: Winston-Salem Journal
"When it comes to our nation's efforts to cure diseases and improve the quality of life for people suffering from ailments, burdensome government regulations shouldn't be an impediment to legitimate and responsible medical research," Tillis said.
The Marijuana Effective Drug Studies Act of 2016, also known as the MEDS Act, has broad bipartisan support.
In the Senate, the bill was introduced by Tillis as well as U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Chris Coons, D-Del. In the House, similar legislation was introduced by U.S. Reps. Andy Harris, R-Md., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., H. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and Sam Farr, D-Calif.
Tillis aides stressed that the bill does not take a position on legalization.
"Senator Tillis supports giving medical researchers the tools and flexibility to conduct more effective research," said Daniel Keylin, a Tillis spokesman. "Once we have the improved research and data on safety and effectiveness, elected officials would be able to make more informed public policy decisions."
For his part, Tillis said the MEDS Act is a "commonsense, bipartisan effort to remove unnecessary barriers that will give scientists the ability to study the biochemical processes, impact, dosing, risks and possible benefits of cannabidiol and other components of the marijuana plant."
There are several medical research institutions in North Carolina, including the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. But it was unclear Monday night to what extent the bill would affect them; the MEDS Act does not benefit any specific institution.
"Any effort by North Carolina's elite research institutions to further our knowledge of the therapeutic compounds extracted from the marijuana plant would be very much welcomed," said Keylin.
The bill would establish a faster process for obtaining approval from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to conduct research.
Under current law, researchers must deal with several federal agencies and a complex application process, according to Schatz' office. The process for each study can take more than a year, and researchers must start anew if they try to alter the study.
The bill would also eliminate a requirement imposed by some DEA field offices that marijuana must be kept in bolted safes, which is not possible in many research and clinical settings, according to Schatz's office.
The MEDS Act is supported by several medical groups, including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Society of Addiction Medicine, American Preventive Medical Association, American Pain Society and American Society of Anesthesiologists.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Senator Tillis Supports Bill That Would Aid Study Of Medical Marijuana
Author: Bertrand M. Gutierrez
Contact: (336)727-7211
Photo Credit: David Rolfe
Website: Winston-Salem Journal
