Michael J. Fox Foundation lobbies for medical cannabis reform

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease and named after the actor of the same name who suffers from the disease himself, has announced its support for three cannabis reform bills currently under discussion in the US Congress.

Ted Thompson, the organization's vice-president of public policy, explained that removing barriers to medical marijuana «is a means by which Congress can help scientific researchers determine the benefits of medical cannabis for Parkinson's disease.».

«MJFF supports easier access to cannabis for medical research. Congress has begun to recognize this need, and several bills have been passed in the U.S. House and Senate to remove barriers that prevent medical researchers from accessing cannabis safely and legally,» the foundation said on its website.

«MJFF's public policy team is tracking these bills and working to educate members of Congress about their importance to the Parkinson's community.»

3 bills to speed up research

More specifically, the MJFF is asking for support for the transition from the Medical Cannabis Research Act, which would protect research institutes wishing to study cannabis from federal prosecution. The bill would also require the Department of Veterans Affairs to inform patients of opportunities to participate in federally approved cannabis studies. In addition, the bill would require the DEA to approve more federal institutions to grow cannabis for research purposes, a process that has been delayed by several years.

The MJFF also calls on legislators to support the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct studies to determine whether c annabis used for medical purposes can relieve post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain, conditions that often affect veterans. Numerous studies have already shown that cannabis can be an effective effective treatment for these conditions, But the VA has always blocked veterans' access to cannabis because it is illegal at the federal level.

Finally, the foundation is campaigning for the transition from Expanding Cannabis Research and Information Act which would reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This change would formally recognize the potential medical use of cannabis, and would also remove the regulatory restrictions that currently prevent universities from conducting cannabis research trials.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation has long supported the reforms. She recently released a video to answer questions about how medical cannabis could help people with Parkinson's disease.

Can medical marijuana help #Parkinsons symptoms? In our latest #AskTheMD video, MJFF VP of Medical Communications @RachelDolhunMD answers common questions about medical marijuana and #Parkinsons disease. https://t.co/iM6QlRLoW0 pic.twitter.com/niJhAObrsq

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- michaeljfox.org (@MichaelJFoxOrg) October 11, 2019