I think there is a difference between having the federal government allow research and having access to marijuana. In the past, the only way for a lab to do research was to aquire cannabis from NIDA.
Not having to jump through impossible hoops and roadblocks to gain access to cannabis is the key for CBIS. I mean NIDA would not allow this reseach by blocking access.
Well, CBIS has its own access and by using specific protocols they can establish a scientific processes to standardize their medicine.
If you listened to Donald Abrams, CBIS scientific board member, you might understand he is noted for hisrigorous clinical work.
IMO, CBIS has a dream team and has bypassed the usual roadblocks.