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On November 21, 2022, noted cannabis industry journalist A.J. Herrington reported that President Joe Biden would sign the cannabis research bill. This would-be legislation passed through the House of Representatives in the summer of 2022.

The United States Senate followed suit about a week before Herrington’s report. So what’s the draw behind the bill that Biden decided to support?

What Cannabis Research Bill Will President Biden Sign?

The cannabis research bill that President Joe Biden is expected to sign is officially called the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act. The House first passed this legislation, otherwise known as H.R. 8454, on July 26, 2022. Then, Senate passed it on November 16, 2022.

The cannabis research bill, if enacted into law, will enable timely medical marijuana studies. This will take place as the government grants “registered entities” more authority. For instance, healthcare facilities, universities or pharmacies may have the right to possess, distribute, manufacture and dispense marijuana or cannabis oil for research purposes.

What Good Will the Marijuana Expansion Act Do?

The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act will apply to both marijuana itself and the CBD produced from it. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will have a hand in this too, but the law will also affect them.

The DEA must approve CBD and marijuana manufacturers and distributors, so they have the right to handle cannabis meant for commercial production. The Expansion Act will also make it possible for an “uninterrupted supply of marijuana” to be available for research purposes.

The bill that allows marijuana and CBD research will also provide for blocking the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS will not have the right to reinstate the review processes it normally would execute before cannabis research can begin.

How will the Marijuana Expansion Act Help Doctors?

Doctors could discuss marijuana prescription issues with patients without fear of penalization. In the process, they also may feel more open about discussing the benefits and drawbacks of cannabis treatment. This includes the advantages and disadvantages of using CBD.

Doctors will have more freedom to disclose side effects information too. In addition, they will become more aware of the potential for treating epilepsy and its effects while driving a vehicle.

Doctors could also have more access to accredited education that includes marijuana research. You never know what the future will hold when cannabis is studied more thoroughly by medical professionals. It’s likely to produce positive awareness come time to administer CBD, THC and other treatments.

How Will the Marijuana Expansion Act Help Patients?

Patients may feel free to ask their doctor questions about marijuana without fear of judgment with the presence of the Expansion Act. They could end up feeling just as relaxed about discussing marijuana with a medical practitioner as they would cold medicines.

Once more research is done, more evidence will also back up the effectiveness of CBD and marijuana. This will give patients the peace of mind that they’re not wasting their time and money. Moreover, they will have confidence that they’re receiving safe treatment at the correct doses.

What’s more, many families may finally receive the help they need instead of feeling hopeless. The well-documented positive effect of cannabis on child epilepsy patients is one case in point.

Other claims pertaining to marijuana and CBD could possibly be backed up with more research too. For instance, reports already indicate that CBD tinctures could improve your skin condition. Similarly, CBD oil could strengthen your hair.

If research verifies improved condition of skin and hair after using CBD, that could open up a new market. This would benefit patients who otherwise might use products with harsh chemicals that supposedly will provide stronger skin and hair that instead harm the body.

Additional Marijuana and CBD Research Benefits

The Marijuana and CBD Expansion Act will prove that medical marijuana treatments are “based on sound science,” according to Chuck Grassley.

When research reports confirm the validity of cannabis products for medicinal use, it can reduce the amount of regulation needed to govern it. This lessening of regulations will eliminate some of the barriers stopping medical practitioners from administering treatments they deem as helpful.

Requirements for Marijuana and CBD Research

As of 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services and National Institutes of Health can’t go without accountability. They still need to report to Congress concerning both the good and bad of marijuana use, even if more research is permitted by the government.

Furthermore, state laws will still remain in effect below the federal level. For example, dispensaries will still get fined if they don’t acquire a license before selling cannabis products.

Growers also need to seek government approval before planting marijuana in their fields. Even states that allow microgrowing will have limits for personal or commercial use set in place.

For instance, Delaware only allows one ounce of weed on a person without penalty as of 2022. Growing cannabis at home is not allowed here, and residents can only consume it for medicinal use and not recreationally.

On the other hand, California has legalized recreational cannabis as of 2016. Residents can grow up to six plants, and everyone 21 years of age or older can have one ounce of marijuana on them.

California also sets a precedent for people who join the medical marijuana program. If you need cannabis in this state for medicinal reasons, you can usually buy it in larger quantities.

No matter what state you’re from, the latest in Marijuana and CBD research that could happen if the Expansion Act comes into effect may amaze you. It may even “normalize” what NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) has been trying to do since the 1970s.