Cannabis In The News
Marijuana and its effects on PTSD symptoms gets HHS green light
By: Z.West 3-25-2014 ~ TCG
Arizona- March 14th, the Health and Human Services Department gave its approval to an University of Arizona College of Medicine study, looking into the question of using marijuana to treat PTSD symptoms. While this is seen as a step forward, the study is still faced with opposition. Both at the federal and state level.
In the 20 states that medical marijuana is legal, physicians already prescribe the drug for treating post traumatic stress disorder. However with clinical research being more than 20 years behind this trend, many questions remain. For example, how much medicine to prescribe or what is the best method for delivery, and more broadly what symptoms of PTSD could be treated with cannabis.
These are all questions that Dr. Sue Sisley, the study author hopes to answer. Sisley who has been involved with related research for several years, said in the Washington Post that “There is a desperate need for this research, but it’s impossible to study this drug properly in an atmosphere of prohibition,”.
It's not an easy process ...
Even with prior approval from the FDA in 2011 and the recent HHS ruling, allowing for the procurement research grade marijuana, Sisley is now challenged with further bureaucratic log jamming. The next step is to get DEA approval to possess and transport marijuana. A process that could take months or even years. A representative from the DEA has said that “ the DEA has not denied DEA registration to a HHS ... approved marijuana study in the last 20-plus years,” .
The largest contributor to the red tape is the Schedule 1 Classification of marijuana. At each step of the approval process, this misclassification adds both time and resources to pursue studies, that would otherwise be easily approved.
For Sisley and other researchers, this could be the start of new era in cannabis related research. If studies such as hers show promise in treating PTSD, they feel that the federal classification of marijuana will have to be re-visited.
A snag in Arizona ... Funding
State Sen. Kimberly Yee (R), said she will not hold a hearing on HB2333. A related House bill providing for access to $6 million in accumulated medical marijuana fees. By not bringing the bill to a hearing, Yee will essentially kill the bill.
Yee claims to support legitimate research but insist it should not be a state priority. “I believe these funds would be better used to educate our general population, especially our youth, about the harms of recreational marijuana,” she said to the Arizona Capitol Times.
The issue of using state funds for marijuana research arose last year, when Sisley pushed for the passage of "marijuana-on-campus" legislation. Yee points out that it was claimed that research would be federally and privately funded. Sisley remains optimistic ...
Regardless the outcome, the HHS approval is a giant step forward for all concerned. Patients and researchers alike.
~
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Marijuana and its effects on PTSD symptoms gets HHS green light
By: Z.West 3-25-2014 ~ TCG
Arizona- March 14th, the Health and Human Services Department gave its approval to an University of Arizona College of Medicine study, looking into the question of using marijuana to treat PTSD symptoms. While this is seen as a step forward, the study is still faced with opposition. Both at the federal and state level.
In the 20 states that medical marijuana is legal, physicians already prescribe the drug for treating post traumatic stress disorder. However with clinical research being more than 20 years behind this trend, many questions remain. For example, how much medicine to prescribe or what is the best method for delivery, and more broadly what symptoms of PTSD could be treated with cannabis.
These are all questions that Dr. Sue Sisley, the study author hopes to answer. Sisley who has been involved with related research for several years, said in the Washington Post that “There is a desperate need for this research, but it’s impossible to study this drug properly in an atmosphere of prohibition,”.
It's not an easy process ...
Even with prior approval from the FDA in 2011 and the recent HHS ruling, allowing for the procurement research grade marijuana, Sisley is now challenged with further bureaucratic log jamming. The next step is to get DEA approval to possess and transport marijuana. A process that could take months or even years. A representative from the DEA has said that “ the DEA has not denied DEA registration to a HHS ... approved marijuana study in the last 20-plus years,” .
The largest contributor to the red tape is the Schedule 1 Classification of marijuana. At each step of the approval process, this misclassification adds both time and resources to pursue studies, that would otherwise be easily approved.
For Sisley and other researchers, this could be the start of new era in cannabis related research. If studies such as hers show promise in treating PTSD, they feel that the federal classification of marijuana will have to be re-visited.
A snag in Arizona ... Funding
State Sen. Kimberly Yee (R), said she will not hold a hearing on HB2333. A related House bill providing for access to $6 million in accumulated medical marijuana fees. By not bringing the bill to a hearing, Yee will essentially kill the bill.
Yee claims to support legitimate research but insist it should not be a state priority. “I believe these funds would be better used to educate our general population, especially our youth, about the harms of recreational marijuana,” she said to the Arizona Capitol Times.
The issue of using state funds for marijuana research arose last year, when Sisley pushed for the passage of "marijuana-on-campus" legislation. Yee points out that it was claimed that research would be federally and privately funded. Sisley remains optimistic ...
Regardless the outcome, the HHS approval is a giant step forward for all concerned. Patients and researchers alike.
~
US Marijuana Laws By State. |
US politicians who admit to smoking cannabis. |
.