Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today applauds the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is eliminating the Public Health Service (PHS) Review Committee for non-federally funded medical research on marijuana, which, rather than facilitating such research, is often believed to have delayed and/or impeded it.  Notably, this review process is not required by law, nor is it required for other Schedule I substances.  In June of last year, Congressman Griffith and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) led a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell requesting that her agency eliminate this review process.

Congressman Griffith said, “For some time now, there have been reports of marijuana’s medicinal benefits in treating conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, etc.  I appreciate HHS’ apparent willingness to work with us and eliminate the PHS review process, which has been blocking research into potential therapeutic benefits and risks of medical marijuana use.  While this decision is a significant step forward, there is more work to be done if we are to provide health care professionals and patients with another tool have in their tool belts.  I look forward to continuing my work for a good, responsible approach to increase research.”