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Media > Recent and Archival
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September 30, 2010
Medical marijuana research frustrated
AZ Daily Sun MAPS’ marijuana campaign coordinator Stephen Morseman’s wrote a letter to the editor responding to an a commentary claiming that the Arizona medical marijuana initiative is ploy to legalize drugs. Stephen writes, his initiative is about giving people who are in pain the medicine they need to improve their quality of life. But in order for doctors to effectively choose the best treatment for their patients, there needs to be an increase in medical marijuana research.
Unfortunately, the marijuana for these studies is not easily accessible to researchers due to a government monopoly over supply (through the National Institute on Drug Abuse), which has resulted in excessive red tape and an undiversified, low-quality stock of cannabis not viable for current research. These political factors do not encourage scientists to invest in medical marijuana-related studies, therefore there needs to be another DEA-licensed provider of marijuana outside of NIDA.
If we can increase the amount of data available on this issue it will help transition the debate from political bickering into science fact.
Originally appeared at: http://www.azdailysun.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_24a6d7fc-a519-5be3-92ed-5010a32067d4.html
To the editor:
The guest column by Carolyn Short and Ed Gogek, “The real story on medical marijuana” makes the assertion that the medical marijuana initiative on the ballot for November is a ploy for legalization of drugs; this is not true. This initiative is about giving people who are in pain the medicine they need to improve their quality of life. But in order for doctors to effectively choose the best treatment for their patients, there needs to be an increase in medical marijuana research.
Unfortunately, the marijuana for these studies is not easily accessible to researchers due to a government monopoly over supply (through the National Institute on Drug Abuse), which has resulted in excessive red tape and an undiversified, low-quality stock of cannabis not viable for current research. These political factors do not encourage scientists to invest in medical marijuana-related studies, therefore there needs to be another DEA-licensed provider of marijuana outside of NIDA.
If we can increase the amount of data available on this issue it will help transition the debate from political bickering into science fact.
STEPHEN MORSEMAN
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