Obama Administration Blocks FDA-Approved Study of Marijuana for Veterans

Thursday, October 06, 2011
The Obama administration is having a difficult time making up its mind over whether to green-light the first-ever study of marijuana and its medicinal impact on veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
 
In April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved a proposed medical study on marijuana and PTSD by the nonprofit research organization the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Dr. Sue Sisley of the University of Arizona at Phoenix planned to lead the research.
 
The plan was to test five different doses of marijuana on 50 combat veterans with PTSD whose symptoms have not improved with the aid of conventional treatments, such as talk therapy, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines.
 
But in order to carry out the study, MAPS needed to legally obtain marijuana through the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA. This week, the department refused to sell government-grown marijuana to MAPS, effectively putting a halt to the research project.
 
MAPS is now taking the government to court, with the help of the Washington, DC-based law firm Covington & Burling, which is representing the nonprofit for free. This is the same firm that used to employ Attorney General Eric Holder.
 
“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.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
Marijuana May Be Studied for Combat Disorder (by Dan Frosch, New York Times)

Comments

Redbird 8 years ago
I'm a wounded warrior female PTSD bipolar few things happen that shouldn't have happened now I suffer all the time so far from the meds the stress I put myself through people around me the loved ones suffer the most I'm just looking for a better quality of life so I don't take mine pills hurt the body this is true breakdown the soul is medical marijuana in Arizona I started to enjoy life again go out for walks see the countryside just kind of opened my eyes up and I felt better and I was able to eat sleep rest relax without human again that's all I got to say
perry parks 12 years ago
i strongly supported barak. i have met him 4 times. i had parties by my pool for his election. yesterday, i was asked by the phone junkies to donate again. i took the time to explain what i had done in the past. then i told her about being thrown under the bus. "you will not get another penny from me until i see my issue as a priority." i can only hope that cannabis will be a late bomb thrown at the republican candidate. it would energize thousands of young people,and some of us old vets also. call the white house opinion line 202.456.1111 and let them know how you feel.
EW 12 years ago
i was an obama supporter sending campaign contributions. this past week, with planned raids of california marijuana dispensaries, obama has taken it too far. and now this? why the sudden attack on marijuana? so far, there has been zero response from obama either admitting or denying he was aware this was taking place. this tells me he is ignorant and is ignoring one of the key reasons people voted for him. this tells me he knows it's a sensitive issue and has decided to turn his back on us. if ron paul does not get on the republican ticket, i will not be voting. period.
Brian 12 years ago
obama is a liar!!! he has done nothing but lie and points his finger at everyone else. he will say anything to get votes and cash. america is waking up ! fool me once shame on you. who will he sell out next ???????
DJ 12 years ago
prisoners being held for the peaceful,non-violent possession,sale,transport or cultivation of cannabis must be released http://wh.gov/gf3 i just started a petition on the white house petitions site, we the people. will you sign it? http://wh.gov/gf3 we the people allows anyone to create and sign petitions asking the obama administration to take action on a range of issues. if a petition gets enough support, the obama administration will issue an official response.
Jack 12 years ago
i cannot believe how evil the obama administration has turned out to be. voting for a man who turned around and betrayed this entire country makes me feel completely taken advantage of. obama is completely heartless and a total liar. now i must ponder this insanity over a bowl of illegal usa-grown marijuana.

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