Could be interesting if it ultimately leads to a reschedule for MJ. Hopefully, they’re truly willing to let the science speak for itself.

Some of the biggest supporters and opponents of marijuana law reform in Congress are teaming up on new bipartisan legislation that would create a new category of federal law to regulate cannabis research.

The proposal, which is an amendment to a larger bill aimed at accelerating the development of new medicines, would set up a new section of the Controlled Substances Act, called Schedule I-R, that is “designed to facilitate credible research on the medical efficacy of marihuana.”

It also includes a “Sense of Congress” clause calling on the National Institutes of Health and the Drug Enforcement Administration to collaborate on studying the benefits and risks of using marijuana as a medical treatment.

Sponsoring the amendment is a collection of strange bedfellows from both parties, including Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), who led unsuccessful efforts to block Washington, D.C. from implementing its marijuana legalization and decriminalization laws, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who is the chief author of bills aimed at increasing military veterans’ access to medical cannabis and providing fair tax rates for state-legal marijuana businesses. Also signed on are Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), who co-led successful efforts to pass amendments prohibiting the Department of Justice from spending money to interfere with state medical marijuana laws, and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), who is the lead sponsor of legislation to allow use of cannabidiol-rich marijuana strains by children suffering from severe seizure disorders.

“Given the widespread use of medical marijuana, it is imperative that doctors better understand how it can be used to treat different people and conditions, as well as the risks involved,” Rep. Blumenauer told Marijuana.com. “Our amendment shows members of Congress with widely varying views on marijuana policy are united in support of building a robust body of scientific information on medical marijuana.”

The new categorization created by the amendment only applies to marijuana that is “intended to be used exclusively for research.” Otherwise, the attorney general is directed to continue treating the drug as if it were still under Schedule I, which is the most restrictive category under federal law and includes heroin and LSD.

“Marijuana could then be rescheduled further after this research is completed,” according to a summary of the proposal on the House Rules Committee website. That panel is expected to vote Wednesday on whether the amendment can be considered when the larger legislation, the 21st Century Cures Act, comes to the House floor later this week.

Marijuana law reformers found themselves in the rare position of praising Rep. Harris, who is one of the most ardent and vocal cannabis opponents Congress. “While he seems to think the research will show no medical efficacy, you have to respect his willingness to let science make the final call,” Mike Liszewski, director of government affairs for Americans for Safe Access, said in an interview.

Beyond the political intrigue spurred by the unusual group of co-sponsors pushing the amendment, it isn’t immediately clear what its practical impact would be if passed.

“It’s largely optical, but it would require that DEA draft new regs on schedule I-R, which could ease some burdens on researchers,” Liszewski said. “Some say [existing Schedule I] burdens are largely insignificant but others say they do in fact prevent research.”

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