cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Research a Long Strange Trip Marijuana Research a Long Strange Trip Posted by CN Staff on December 18, 2005 at 21:39:07 PT Editorial Source: Republican Massachusetts -- Lyle E. Craker, a plant and soil sciences professor at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, applied to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for a permit to grow marijuana in 2001. What a long, strange trip it's been. First, the DEA told Craker that it had lost his application. Next, it told him that he did not fill out the forms correctly. And then it dispatched two DEA agents to the Amherst campus to discourage the university. The DEA took no action on the application for almost three years, until a federal court ordered the agency to respond to Craker's application. In December 2004, it finally rejected his application because, in part, DEA officials believe it could lead to greater illicit use of marijuana. As we've noted in this space in the past, it cannot be easy for the federal government to admit that there might be some medicinal use of marijuana after it has been waging an unsuccessful war against marijuana and other illicit drugs for several decades. Craker, director of the medicinal plant program in the Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences on the Amherst campus, wants a license to grow marijuana for scientific research. His appeal of the DEA decision was heard last week by an administrative law judge at the ... DEA. For the record, the DEA lists marijuana as the most frequently abused illicit drug in America, so it would appear that Craker and his supporters still face an uphill battle. Craker should be allowed to participate in scientific study without government obstruction, whether he is researching goldenseal or marijuana. The administrative law judge should recommend that the DEA approve his application on the basis that his work might benefit the public. For decades, researchers have known that marijuana relieves pain and nausea associated with cancer, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and other serious illnesses. Yet, because marijuana is still listed as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, a dangerous drug with no medicinal use, the DEA blocks study by a qualified researcher that might lead to its wider use as a safe, effective and affordable drug. It sounds like the DEA is blowing a lot of smoke. Source: Republican, The (MA)Published: Monday, December 19, 2005Copyright: 2005 The RepublicanContact: letters repub.comWebsite: http://www.masslive.com/republican/Related Articles & Web Site:MAPShttp://www.maps.org/ Ole Miss Marijuana Monopoly Under Fire http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21392.shtmlProf. Questions Gov't Monopoly on Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21375.shtmlFederal Marijuana Monopoly Challengedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21372.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 19, 2005 at 07:31:07 PT Just a Comment I hope everyone is almost ready for Christmas. I am getting very tired of seeing Bush on TV so much these days. I watched about Tsunamis last night and didn't have to watch the president speak. Maybe this talk he is giving now will be the last one at least for this week and that would do wonders for my christmas spirit. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by potpal on December 19, 2005 at 06:55:35 PT strange days indeed Whoever planted this one for the tobacco industry, got a raise! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4540130.stmFunny thing...my grandfather grew dreadlocks and started wearing jeans and shades after his first few doses of Sativex. Now he's saying 'man' and listening to jazz all the time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by mayan on December 19, 2005 at 04:07:16 PT Off Topic More backlash against the Bushistas...Bolivia Coca-Growers Leader Morales Set to Win Vote: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=ajiOgagh0g.Q&refer=news_indexSocialist Claims Victory in Bolivia: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5489045,00.htmlLatin America Looks Leftward Again: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/weekinreview/18forero.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by b4daylight on December 18, 2005 at 23:19:35 PT WTF Massachusetts -- Lyle E. Craker, a plant and soil sciences professor at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, applied to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for a permit to grow marijuana in 2001. What a long, strange trip it's been.First, the DEA told Craker that it had lost his application. Next, it told him that he did not fill out the forms correctly. And then it dispatched two DEA agents to the Amherst campus to discourage the university.The DEA took no action on the application for almost three years, until a federal court ordered the agency to respond to Craker's application ********************** ************************* ****************************When I first heard this I wondered why there is no accountability for their actions.Still this outright criminal acts continue. Too try to persuade science with political agendas and beliefs. To go against what public opinion wants. Shame on us. We let these elected officials continue with easdroppig, secerts, databases, and lies. 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