It is the first bill related to marijuana approved unanimously by both chambers of Congress
The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill designed to expand medical marijuana research by unanimous consent, according to Politico. The House had approved the bill in July, also by unanimous consent.
The passage of the legislation, sponsored by California Senator Dianne Feinstein and Representative Earl Blumenauer in their respective chambers, marked a new era in federal cannabis policy: it is the first marijuana-related bill passed unanimously by both chambers. chambers of Congress.
The bill, which will make it easier for scientists to conduct research on medical marijuana and protect doctors who discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using the drug with patients, is now headed to the desk of President Joe Biden.
The essentials of the legislation
Marijuana is classified in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, in the same category as heroin. Schedule I substances are classified as having no medical benefit and a high propensity for addiction.
But some research over the past decade and anecdotes from thousands of patients across the country suggest that cannabis may have medical utility for certain health conditions.
But since marijuana is classified in Annex I, it is very difficult to obtain all the authorizations required to study its effects scientifically.
This law would make it easier to investigate the use of medical marijuana.
Where has marijuana use been legalized?
Currently, 37 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, and 19 states have authorized recreational marijuana use for adults.
Five states voted to legalize recreational marijuana use in the 2022 midterm elections: Missouri, Arkansas, North and South Dakota, and Maryland.
– Missouri: Voters approved recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and older
– Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota: Voters rejected a marijuana legalization ballot initiative Tuesday
– Maryland: The use of recreational marijuana by adults will be legal on July 1 of next year
What Americans Say About Marijuana Use
A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center from April 5 to 11, 2021, found that an overwhelming proportion of American adults, 91% of those surveyed, said that marijuana should be legal. 60% thought it should be legal for medical and recreational use. And 31% thought it should be legal for medical use only.
Fewer than one in ten respondents (8%) said that marijuana should not be legal for use by adults.