The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Opens Contract Opportunities for Cannabis Suppliers
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has published a solicitation for contractors who can roll a substantial number of marijuana cigarettes to support authorized federal research. The demand for these particular research aids, along with other regulated substances, has seen a significant surge recently as research efforts centered around drug misuse expand.
NIDA’s Requirements for Cannabis Supplies
NIDA is looking for suppliers who can produce large quantities of cannabis cigarettes and simultaneously prepare smaller batches with defined quantities of delta-9-THC and cannabidiol (CBD). The specifics of the requirements are yet to be clearly spelled out, but samples provided within the extensive 141-page document highlight possible assignments such as mass production of standard joints or smaller batches of manually rolled joints.
THC and CBD Concentrations in Research-Grade Cannabis
In the realm of research-grade marijuana cigarettes, the THC and CBD concentrations required by NIDA are considerably lower than the levels usually found in commercially available and legally sanctioned cannabis products. The document specifies a “low” THC range of 1.0 percent to 2.5 percent, and a “high” range of 3.5 percent to 5 percent.
Additional Responsibilities of Contractors
Additional responsibilities for the contractor would include maintaining a routine check on the quality and evaluation of the marijuana cigarettes to uphold the integrity of the product. This could extend to monitoring the chemical stability of the products stored at varying temperatures over time.
NIDA’s Drug Procurement
NIDA’s request is not limited to cannabis. It also includes various other substances, such as nicotine-based cigarettes for research, morphine, methadone, naltrexone and other compounds pertinent to the community engaged in researching drug abuse. Contractors may be asked to procure controlled and uncontrolled drugs or research chemicals which are difficult to source, from international providers in order to supplement the drug inventory maintained by NIDA.
Increasing Importance of High-Quality Cannabis for Research
In the recent past, NIDA has granted permission to more cannabis producers for research purposes. This followed complaints from scientists regarding the quality of cannabis and its extracts cultivated at the University of Mississippi, which used to be NIDA’s sole cannabis source. NIDA’s Director, Nora Volkow, has projected her concerns on the open cannabis market and the complexities that arise with it, especially concerning drug consumption across various age groups and demographics. This corresponds with an emphasis on “marijuana research” and “NIDA cannabis research” or “federal cannabis research”, which are central themes in this article.
