DEA Rejects Judge's Ruling, Quashes Medical Marijuana Research Project

"Once again, science has taken a back seat to ideology in the Bush administration, with research that could benefit millions needlessly stalled" - Aaron Houston, MPP's director of government relations

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - In a major setback to medical marijuana research, the Drug Enforcement Administration has rejected the decision of Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner and blocked a medical marijuana research project at the University of Massachusetts Amherst -- a project considered vital if marijuana is ever to be an FDA-approved medicine.

"It's no surprise that an administration that has rejected science again and again has, as one of its final acts, blocked a critical research project," said Aaron Houston, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C.

"With the new administration publicly committed to respecting scientific research and valuing data over dogma, this final act of desperation isn't surprising, but the true victims are the millions of patients who might benefit."

Professor Lyle Craker had applied for permission to cultivate marijuana for use in medical research.

At present, marijuana for research can only be obtained through the National Institute on Drug Abuse -- a government monopoly that does not exist for any other Schedule I drug.

Because NIDA's marijuana is of notoriously poor quality and has only been inconsistently available to researchers, scientists and advocates consider Dr. Craker's project essential to the advancement of medical marijuana research.

The long and difficult process of seeking approval culminated on February 12th 2007, in a ruling by Judge Bittner that Craker should be allowed to proceed. But such administrative law judge rulings are not binding on the DEA.

In the nearly two years since the ruling, several small, pilot studies have shown marijuana to safely and effectively relieve nerve pain that afflicts millions suffering from HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other conditions, making more advanced research -- including strains custom-tailored for various conditions, which was one of the goals of Craker and his colleagues -- vital.

"Once again, science has taken a back seat to ideology in the Bush administration, with research that could benefit millions needlessly stalled," Houston said. "They can delay progress, but they cannot stop it."

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Fred C January 13, 2009 2:18 pm (Pacific time)

The DEA have a vested interest to keep the

Editor: Fred, this comment was cut off probably by our system. If you email it to me over the next day or so I will add the full text, sorry.

Daniel January 13, 2009 3:28 am (Pacific time)

I read in a Houston paper that Bush left his mark on the nations energy polices . It reminded me of when i was in Acapulco a few years back and was sick from the trip , i had to open the car window to vomit . I said i left my mark on Acapulco .

Seth B. January 12, 2009 9:41 pm (Pacific time)

Bush should have been impeached years ago when he first started issuing 'signing statements' where he signed the laws passed, but then refused to enforce the laws, and thus violated his oath of office to defend the Constitution. Bush was a domestic enemy of the USA. I am a real Conservative.

Smoking Lamp Out January 12, 2009 5:58 pm (Pacific time)

Bush has no control over making laws, look at the current congress if you want to see these MJ laws changed. Will not happen in the next 4 years or the next 40 years. I imagine the people who blame Bush will give Obama a pass. Now that's true hypocrisy in action...your inaction.

Anonymous January 12, 2009 3:44 pm (Pacific time)

Man would I hate to be Bush when he does meet up with his God. I have a feeling God will say, "You don't know me...and I don't know you."

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