DEA Again Announces Intention to Process Cannabis Research Applications

According to the DEA filing, they have received thirty-three applications from research centers seeking to study cannabis. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has, once again, assured the public that it will help increase research by greenlighting multiple applications to cultivate and study cannabis. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Although cannabis consumption has been rapidly increasing in recent years, formal research into the benefits and risks of the plant are lagging far behind. Altieri thinks it is long overdue for action on the part of the DEA and for a drastic increase in reliable cannabis research. “In an era where public and scientific interest in the cannabis plant, particularly with regard to its therapeutic properties, has never been greater, and where patients in a majority of states are already using cannabis in compliance with state law, it is inexcusable that the DEA continues to take this ‘head-in-the-sand’ approach to this rapidly changing cultural and legal landscape,” Altieri continued. The problem, we heard this all before in 2016. “For the past three years, the DEA has failed to take any steps to follow through on its promise to facilitate clinical cannabis research, and today’s announcement makes it clear that this foot-dragging will continue,” NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri said. “According to the DEA’s filing, the agency has yet to even evaluate even one of the dozens of applications before it—many of which have been pending for more than two years, nor do they provide any timetable regarding when or if they ever will.” Several states have approved recreational cannabis use since 2016 with others starting or expanding medicinal programs.