The Senate unanimously approved a bill allowing medical marijuana research to expand on Wednesday. The bill is the first marijuana-related bill to be approved by both chambers of Congress, as the House unanimously passed the bill in July, Politico reports.
The unanimous votes in both chambers underscore the shift in sentiments about cannabis as the substance becomes increasingly mainstream. A recent Gallup poll found that support for marijuana legalization has maintained a record high of 68 percent since last year. In terms of partisan support, 83 percent of Democrats support legalization. In contrast, Republicans remain split, with 50 percent supporting legislation.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), will make it easier for scientists to research medical marijuana. It will also protect doctors who discuss medical cannabis with their patients. Marijuana is still considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance, which denotes a high risk for addiction and a lack of medical benefits. While many states have legalized recreational and medical use on a local level, federal law has restricted the bounds of research into the substance's medical potential. Blumenauer told Politico that after decades of working on cannabis reform, "finally the dam is starting to break."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The bill will proceed to the desk of President Biden, who recently pardoned thousands of people convicted of low-level marijuana-related offenses. Biden also instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to review available research on marijuana.
-
September 1 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday’s political cartoons include Labor Day picnic, branding strategy, and more
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
When does autumn begin?The Explainer The UK is experiencing a 'false autumn', as climate change shifts seasonal weather patterns
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revoltSpeed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich throwerSpeed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodusSpeed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
DOGE put Social Security data at risk, official saysSpeed Read DOGE workers made the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft
-
Court rejects Trump suit against Maryland US judgesSpeed Read Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, said the executive branch had no authority to sue the judges
-
Trump expands National Guard role in policingSpeed Read The president wants the Guard to take on a larger role in domestic law enforcement
-
Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa CookSpeed Read The move is likely part of Trump's push to get the central bank to cut interest rates
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportationSpeed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
