On April 12, 2018 Bipartisan senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and US Attorney General Jeff Sessions in an effort to encourage the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to fulfill its promise on allowing for more manufacturers to supply research-grade marijuana. Almost two years ago the DEA changed its policy which allowed for more suppliers in regard to medical marijuana research. Although 25 manufacturers have applied, none have been approved, and the only manufacturer-the University of Mississippi- holds a license to produce marijuana for federally sanctioned research. As of August 11, 2016, there was 354 individuals and institutions approved by the DEA to conduct research on marijuana and its related components. The supply needed for research is clearly not meeting the demand. Hatch and Harris point out that research will give law enforcement guidance, and veterans (amongst other patients) "deserve scientifically-based assessments of the substance many of them are already self-administering". The letter ends requesting that by May 15, 2018 the DEA to provide notice of the date the DOJ expects to complete its review of the applications by, and to give notice to the applicants of the timeline for resolution and the status of their applications. It also asks for a commitment to resolve applications by August 11, 2018. To drive their message home, Hatch and Harris remind Sessions that he stated before the Judiciary Committee on October 18, 2017 "that competition among federally-approved marijuana providers would be healthy".
Sources: Hatch Senate, TheHill, youtube
