Federal agency blocks FDA-approved marijuana research for veterans

[RainDog]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/04/dept-of-health-and-human-services-blocks-fda-approved-marijuana-research-for-veterans/

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has blocked a pilot study to examine the benefits of marijuana for veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

...“Hundreds of veterans in medical marijuana states already report using marijuana to control their PTSD symptoms,” MAPS said in a statement. “The growing number of service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with combat-related trauma combined with large numbers of treatment-resistant veterans highlights the pressing need for research into additional treatments for PTSD.”

Recently, a study conducted by Haifa University in Israel found that rats which were treated with marijuana within 24 hours of a traumatic experience successfully avoided any symptoms of PTSD.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has denied researchers requests to obtain licenses to grow marijuana, claiming that the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — overseen by the HHS — can be the only one to supply marijuana for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated research. NIDA’s monopoly on the supply of marijuana for research means the study has no way of moving forward, even though it was approved by the FDA.


MAPS and a law firm that represents pharmaceutical-industry clients has offered pro bono representation to MAPS to challenge the NIDA monoply.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/21/marijuana-researchers-get-pro-bono-representation-in-dea-lawsuit/

[DreamSmoker]

1. Pile on the Hypocrisy again

OMG... It just never ends..
This Governments just never ever does whats right...
It never learned and has such a small memory....

Has anyone watched the 3 part Documentary on Prohibition aired on PBS this week??????
My God .. The American Government has learned nothing and just keeps right on with the lies and Bullshit to keep us on board and submissive..
The Politics are the same involving those Overzealous Religious Fanatics to date...

So what did we learn all these years????
Absolutely nothing as we are here again on the Drug war and Cannabis...

[RainDog]

4. yes. we don't seem to learn from our mistakes

it's too bad that veterans have to suffer for the sake of someone else's profits.

[Gman]

2. I know 60+ year old Vietnam Vets in a non-medical marijuana state

using it for their own PTSD. Most of it has been lifelong self-medication.

[Megahurtz]

3. That's Ridiculous.

Assholes.