WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 17, 2014. Today, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), H. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Dana Rohrabacher (CA-48) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) along with 26 other members of Congress, sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Matthews Burwell requesting that the process through which certified scientists obtain marijuana for medical research be made less burdensome.
Currently, scientists not funded by the NIH seeking to conduct research on marijuana are subject not only to the review process that applies to other Schedule I substances, but to an additional review process by the Department of Health and Human Services that allows for access to the only source of marijuana grown in the United States that can be legally used for research. This additional review adds a layer of uncertainty for researchers and can lead to delays or even denial.
“Two weeks ago, we took a very important vote in the House to stop the DEA from interfering in states’ medical marijuana programs,” said Blumenauer. “Now we need the Administration to stop targeting marijuana above and beyond other drugs when it comes to research. By increasing access for scientists who are conducting studies, we end the Catch-22 of opponents claiming can’t they support medical marijuana because there’s not enough research, but blocking research because they don’t support medical marijuana.”
Source: blumenauer.house.gov
