Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3220-3221)
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 25, 2017
Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act
This bill requires the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services to each evaluate whether cannabidiol, the nonpsychoactive substance derived from marijuana or the synthetic formulation, should be a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. After taking into consideration the evaluations, the DEA must initiate proceedings for classifying cannabidiol as a controlled substance if control is warranted.
The bill expands the authority for: (1) conducting medical research on cannabidiol and other nonpsychoactive components of marijuana, and (2) possessing or transporting cannabidiol or any other nonpsychoactive component of marijuana for certain medicinal purposes.
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The Department of Justice shall register an applicant to manufacture or distribute cannabidiol or marijuana for the purpose of commercial production if approved by HHS.
Physicians who are licensed under state law may discuss the potential harms and benefits of cannabidiol or those components of marijuana as a treatment with their patients or the legal guardians of underage patients.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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