Notice Number: NOT-DA-16-034

Key Dates
Release Date: July 7, 2016
Response Date: September 15, 2016

Issued by
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Purpose

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes that marijuana and/or its constituent compounds hold both risk and potential benefits to health. To date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one cannabinoid and one cannabinoid-like substance for medical use synthetically-derived dronabinol, which is the pure isomer (-)-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, a constituent of marijuana), and nabilone, which is a synthetic substance similar to THC.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) supports the production of research grade marijuana and marijuana products (i.e. extracts, purified cannabinoids, etc.) for research. While there are a number of varieties of marijuana with differing constituent profiles currently available (primarily varying ratios of delta -9-THC and cannabidiol (CBD), but also several other cannabinoids; see https://www.drugabuse.gov/researchers/research-resources/nida-drug-supply-program-dsp/marijuana-plant-material-available-nida-drug-supply-program), NIDA is interested in gathering information on whether other specific marijuana varieties or marijuana-derived products are of interest to the research community.

Information Requested

NIDA is interested in gathering information from researchers conducting or interested in conducting research on marijuana and marijuana products on:

1. The specific marijuana varieties, strains, or constituent chemotypes that are of research interest;
2. The marijuana constituents, products and/or preparations that are of research interest; and,
3. The particular research questions that could or would be addressed with such products.

If applicable, please describe why the currently available marijuana varieties are inadequate for your research project or interests (see https://www.drugabuse.gov/researchers/research-resources/nida-drug-supply-program-dsp/marijuana-plant-material-available-nida-drug-supply-program for a list of currently available materials).

How to Submit a Response

Responses will be accepted until September 15, 2016 through submissions to marijuanainfo@nida.nih.gov. The collected information will be analyzed and may be used to guide future US Government efforts to provide adequate supplies of marijuana and marijuana products for research into the health risks and benefits.

Note: This RFI is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation for applications or an obligation on the part of the government. The government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the government’s use of that information.

Inquiries

Inquiries concerning this Notice may be directed to marijuanainfo@mail.nih.gov