DEA Eases Restrictions for CBD Research
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap radius”]S[/dropcap]cientists have been working diligently towards developing new applications for CBD. Even with all the promise that CBD holds, federal regulation still requires researchers to go through lengthy clearance process from the DEA. Recently, however, the Drug Enforcement Administration quietly removed some of the restrictions that hinder crucial CBD development.
Before now, researchers that needed more CBD or had any type of modification to their study had to go through an extensive approval process, further delaying research. Scientists had to request clearance, in writing, which involves steps taken from both the DEA and the Food and Drug Administration. The process often took months, and in some cases, years.
The changes made to the process now mean registered CBD researchers, who have already gone through the approval process once, can be granted a waiver and modify their protocol.
Per the eased requirements, the DEA reinstated the Schedule I status, however this time, the organization appears to acknowledge the legitimate medical benefits of CBD. “Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance because of the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient. Because CBD contains less than 1 percent THC and has shown some potential medicinal value, there is great interest in studying it for medical applications. Currently, CBD is a Schedule I controlled substance as defined under the CSA. Though the FDA approves drugs for medical use in the United States, the DEA regulates the handling of all controlled substances, including those being used by researchers to conduct studies.” According to the British Journal of Clinical Phamacology, CBD is useful as an antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumoral(Cancer), and an anxiolytic(anti-depressant).
The organization has sent memos to CBD researchers that are affected by the changes.
