The DEA has stalled a medical marijuana research project by its rejection of the decision of Judge Mary Ellen Bittner. Director Aaron Houston of the Marijuana Policy Project said “They can delay progress, but they cannot stop it” and at the same time noting that the millions of patients who might have benefited are the true victims of a “final act of desperation” by the DEA.
An article by Bruce Mirken at MPP’s blogsite has links to further background material that is worthwhile reading - the general gist of things seems to be that the present suppliers can’t do a good enough job of growing it. Strains that would be “tailored” to alleviate a specific condition aren’t a concern of the existing producer and that they, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, could do and wanted to do a better job. The DEA’s rejection notice makes particularly fascinating reading.
Tue 13 Jan 2009