Meanwhile, Israel is at the forefront of research in the industry. This is partially because that’s where cannabis research originated. But it’s also the result of having far more freedom to conduct research there.

In the antiquated United States, there is only one solitary place where growing marijuana for research is permitted. With a new ruling however, it looks like that’s FINALLY going to change.

The Mississippi Monopoly

Since 1968, the University of Mississippi (more affectionately known as Ole Miss) has had the monopoly on growing weed for research purposes. This is, as we all know, because the federal government continues to insist that cannabis is a Schedule I illegal drug. Thus, they would only permit one grower. (Insert eye roll here.)

Back in 2016, the Obama Administration sought to expand the research program and allow for additional growers. The program stalled out during Trump’s Administration, but the expansion process is now being completed by the Biden Administration.

Folks have known for a long time of the huge drawbacks of drawing conclusions from research done on cannabis from a singular location. For example, a university study done in 2019 found that the weed from the University of Mississippi had a genetic profile closer to hemp than what dispensaries are currently peddling. It was also moldy, contained sticks, and was not properly tested before being sent to researchers.

Upon discovering this, The Scottsdale Research Institute sued the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to allow other places to grow weed for research.

And Now for Something Completely Ironic

So here’s the twist.

The DEA is finally ready to end the University of Mississippi’s 50+ year monopoly. It ruled that it will work with new producers on the “production, storage, packaging, and distribution” of marijuana.

This is the same DEA which, for decades, had a major role in the federal government’s War on Drugs. So yeah, it’s pretty ironic.

But it’s progress, right? (We hope so.)

So Does This Mean More Cannabis Research in the U.S.?

Where cannabis is concerned, the DEA will no longer be just, as its name implies, an enforcer of drug laws. Their plan is to oversee a marijuana supply chain that involves purchasing research marijuana from an array of growers and shipping it to researchers funded by places such as the National Institutes of Health. They’ll also permit some growers to ship small amounts directly to research labs.

Of course, there are those who have doubts that the DEA can effectively handle a cannabis supply chain. But for the time being, scientists are rejoicing in this new ruling. And they’re pleased with how fast the DEA is moving – which is unusual given that it’s a government agency. Once the agency completes the review process of current applicants, they’re already poised to issue new licenses.

“This is a victory for scientific freedom,” said Sue Sisley, the president, and principal investigator at the Scottsdale Research Institute. As she told Science magazine, “It’s finally a chance to use real-world cannabis in our own studies and supply genetically diverse cannabis to scientists across the nation.”

We’re on board with that.

Are You a Cannabis Entrepreneur?

With the huge advantages resulting from more cannabis research in the U.S., now it a great time to get into the cannabis business.

If you’re looking to establish your cannabis business – or already have one – you need highly effective cannabis marketing and public relations from pioneers in the business.

That’s where we come in. Contact us today to get the expertise you need to make your cannabis business shine.

The post More Cannabis Research in the U.S.? appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

A recent study revealed that the cannabis from a federally authorized cultivation site is genetically closer to hemp than the cannabis varieties currently available at dispensaries.

So what’s the big deal? Why not do research on marijuana from other sites then?

Because there is only that ONE federally authorized cultivation site. (They’re almost as rare as unicorns.)

And that their research-grade marijuana is closer to hemp than cannabis is… problematic.

How the Recent Study Was Conducted

This wasn’t the first study done on the only federally authorized research-grade marijuana, which happens to be cultivated at the University of Mississippi.

Previous studies found that the marijuana – funded, interestingly enough, by the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – had lower levels of THC and CBD when compared to commercial cannabis products.

Intrigued by this, researchers at the University of Northern Colorado set out to understand the genetic variances.

It was a comprehensive study that looked at 49 different cannabis samples, including the NIDA-supplied marijuana, various commercial-grade indica, sativa and hybrid strains, and hemp.

Much to the surprise of researchers, genetic analysis revealed just how different NIDA’s marijuana is from the cannabis most people are consuming.

The NIDA marijuana shared a closer “genetic affinity with hemp samples in most analyses” than it did with commercially available marijuana, the study authors wrote. “To our knowledge, this is the first genetic study to include research-grade marijuana from NIDA, and its placement with hemp samples was unexpected.”

Research-Grade Marijuana Is Closer to Hemp?

As we said before, this is problematic.

The main concern being, of course, just how applicable the results of research using the government marijuana are when it comes to evaluating the effects of products people are consuming.

Federally approved marijuana research has relied on the NIDA supply. If the research was solely concerned with THC and CBD content, the samples might be useful. But study participants who consume the NIDA varieties could be experiencing effects that are quite different from those getting their marijuana from dispensaries.

“As the interest for medical Cannabis increases, it is important that research examining the threats and benefits of Cannabis use accurately reflect the experiences of the general public,” the researchers wrote.

Uh, yeah.

Pushing for Change

It’s no secret that the limited supply and lack of diversity of cannabis varieties available from this sole source in Mississippi is hindering research.

That’s why Attorney General William Barr recently received two letters from a group of bipartisan senators stressing the importance of kicking up the number of federally authorized growers of research-grade marijuana.

In one letter, the senators point out that adding more facilities wouldn’t represent a violation of international treaties. In the second letter, they focus more broadly on the need to expedite processing applications for additional cultivators.

“Our nation’s need for meaningful federally sanctioned research is critical,” the senators write.

“Research and medical communities should have access to research-grade materials to answer questions around marijuana’s efficacy and potential impacts, both positive and adverse. Finalizing the review of applications for marijuana manufacturing will assist in doing just that.”

Now it’s up to Barr and the other folks at the Justice Department to make it happen.

Keep Moving Forward

The fact that the sole source of research-grade marijuana is closer to hemp is a little unnerving. But at least there are responsible lawmakers in D.C. doing their part to advocate for the industry.

In the meantime, if your cannabis business could use a little more publicity, we’re here to advocate for you. Contact us today to see how we can boost your public relations.

The post Federally Authorized Research-Grade Marijuana Is Closer to Hemp Than Cannabis appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.