DEA Judge Recommends End to Government Obstruction of Medical Marijuana Research

[Bozita]

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DEA Judge Recommends End to Government Obstruction of Medical Marijuana Research

Historic Step Toward Nation's First Government-Approved Marijuana
Production Facility

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MAPS, the ACLU, and a
broad array of medical and public policy groups nationwide commended
today's official recommendation by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner that University of
Massachusetts- Amherst Professor Lyle Craker be permitted to grow
research-grade marijuana for use in privately-funded government-approved
studies that aim to develop the marijuana plant into a legal, prescription
medicine. Judge Bittner ruled that it is in the public interest to end the
federal government's monopoly, which it has maintained for over six
decades, on the supply of marijuana that can be used in FDA-approved
research.

"This ruling is a victory for science, medicine and the public good,"
said Prof. Craker. "I hope Administrator Tandy abides by the decision and
grants me the opportunity to do my job unimpeded by drug war politics."

The ruling by DEA Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner, who is
appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice, marks a unique window of
opportunity in the six year struggle by MAPS and Prof. Craker to gain a
Schedule I DEA license to grow research-grade marijuana for use by other
scientists in privately funded, DEA- and FDA-approved studies.

"For decades, politicians have said that marijuana has no proven
medical value while scientists have been denied the ability to prove
otherwise," said Rick Doblin, Ph.D., president and founder of MAPS.

The court's ruling is only a recommendation to DEA Administrator Karen
Tandy, however, not a binding ruling; thus, Tandy retains final decision-
making authority. In response, scientists, researchers, doctors and medical
marijuana patients nationwide are joining MAPS and the ACLU by encouraging
Tandy to comply with the court's finding and to halt federal obstruction of
medical marijuana research.

Thirty-eight Congressional Representatives, Massachusetts Senators
Kerry and Kennedy, and a broad range of scientific, medical, religious and
public policy organizations have already joined Prof. Craker in challenging
the federal policy of blocking appropriate administrative channels and
obstructing research that could evaluate whether smoked and/or vaporized
marijuana meets FDA guidelines for approval as a prescription medicine.

If the DEA grants Prof. Craker a Schedule I license, his proposed
research-grade medical marijuana production facility will be funded by
MAPS, a non-profit research organization that plans to design, fund, and
obtain government approval for the clinical trials necessary to bring
marijuana to market as a fully legal, prescription medication. MAPS has had
two FDA- approved marijuana studies blocked by NIDA, and would require a
reliable, high-quality supply of research material to justify the time and
expense to sponsor FDA-approved clinical research evaluating the risks and
benefits of marijuana as a potential FDA-approved medicine.

The ACLU and the Washington D.C. law firm Jenner & Block, LLP are co-
counsel for the case and are assisted by Steptoe & Johnson, LLP. For
extensive background information on Professor Craker's proposed medical
marijuana production facility: http://maps.org/mmj/DEAlawsuit.html .

Founded in 1986, MAPS is a membership-based non-profit research and
educational organization that assists scientists to design, fund, obtain
approval for and report on studies into the risks and benefits of MDMA,
psychedelic drugs and marijuana.

SOURCE MAPS
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Related links:
* http://maps.org/mmj/DEAlawsuit.html