IT’S NOT EASY BUT MICHIGAN WANTS TO STUDY MARIJUANA’S HEALTH BENEFITS

When Michigan voters approved recreational marijuana six years ago, they also authorized the allocation of cannabis tax revenue for research into the health benefits of the drug specifically for military veterans. In a remarkable commitment, state officials dedicated a substantial $40 million to this cause.

Not a single veteran has received marijuana in a trial.

Critics attribute the delays in marijuana research to federal restrictions. The Food and Drug Administration hindered a Michigan study on post-traumatic stress disorder, arguing against participants inhaling marijuana, despite it being the primary method of consumption for most veterans.

Additionally, researchers encountered substantial obstacles in obtaining a federally approved marijuana supply for proposed studies, with the process taking close to two years. By law, they are unable to utilize readily available pot from dispensaries.

Consequently, these studies are still several months away from commencing.

The delays in Michigan highlight the complexities of researching the potential health advantages and repercussions of marijuana in the United States. Despite its legal status in most states, marijuana remains federally prohibited, creating a unique challenge for scientists and professionals in the field.

The FDA has chosen not to comment on proposed clinical studies involving marijuana and has affirmed its dedication to supporting robust scientific research necessary for the development of new drugs from cannabis.

The agency remains committed to encouraging the research and development of these innovative medications through its regulatory process.

For decades, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, alongside heroin and LSD, indicating its perceived lack of medical utility and association with a high risk of abuse. Currently, medical marijuana is legal in thirty-eight states and D.C., while recreational marijuana has been approved in twenty-four states and D.C.

President Biden’s 2022 directive instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to thoroughly review the current classification of marijuana as Schedule I.

The health agency informed the Drug Enforcement Administration in August of its recommendation to classify marijuana under Schedule III, alongside prescription medications like ketamine and testosterone.

The DEA is expected to decide on marijuana’s classification in coming months.

Researchers have long complained about red tape strangling their ability to study marijuana.

In 2022, Biden signed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, aiming to expedite permit approval. Legal experts argue that regardless of whether the drug is reclassified, the 2022 act still imposes restrictions on marijuana research.

Even if marijuana is reclassified, the FDA must approve investigational new drug applications for marijuana research. The FDA approved one cannabis-related drug, Epidiolex, made from CBD, a cannabis extract that does not cause a high.

The drug is used to treat rare forms of epilepsy. The FDA has approved three nausea drugs made from synthetic versions of THC, the compound in marijuana that causes a high.

The FDA has not approved any cannabis plant products, highlighting what researchers say is the agency’s dislike for botanical products.

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