The cannabidiol and marijuana research expansion act: Promotion of scientific knowledge to prevent a national health crisis

John M Purcell; Tija M Passley; Joerg R Leheste

doi:10.1016/j.lana.2022.100325

The cannabidiol and marijuana research expansion act: Promotion of scientific knowledge to prevent a national health crisis

Lancet Reg Health Am. 2022 Jul 13:14:100325. doi: 10.1016/j.lana.2022.100325. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Authors

John M Purcell¹, Tija M Passley¹, Joerg R Leheste²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Basic Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA.
² Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA.

Abstract

While the use of medical and recreational cannabis is rapidly expanding under state jurisdiction, the convolution of federal regulations is obstructing research progress to the detriment of healthcare equity and the protection of vulnerable populations, such as the underaged. U.S. Senate bill S.253 is designed to accelerate the development of trusted preclinical and clinical principles based on scientific data to guide physicians in their daily practice, inform lawmakers, and thereby protect public health. This goes together with a reinforcement of the legal protection that practitioners have acquired over years of litigation with the federal government when working with their patients. S.253 supports open communication between physicians and their patients when discussing cannabis as a treatment option. The bill passed the U.S. Senate on March 24, 2022.

Funding: This work was supported by intramural funding (NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine) to the corresponding author, Dr. Joerg R. Leheste.

Keywords: Access of care issue; Developmental delays and damages; Health policy; Marijuana; Medicinal marijuana; Public health; Quality of care issue; Recreational marijuana; Research; The cannabidiol and marijuana research expansion act (S235); US congress; US senate bill S235; psychosis.

Publication types

Review