November 2, 2005
Karen P. Tandy, Administrator
Drug Enforcement Administration Office
Mailstop: AXS
2401 Jefferson Davis Highway
Alexandria, VA 22301
Dear Administrator Tandy,
I am Leonides G. Cigarroa Jr., MD, chair of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) Council on Scientific Affairs. TMA represents over 40,000 physicians in Texas. I am writing in the matter of Craker v. DEA, Docket N0. 05-16.
TMA believes that the medical use of marijuana is an issue that should be resolved through scientific research. As a result, TMA recommends that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) grant a license to produce marijuana exclusively for federally-approved research to Professor Lyle Craker, Director of the Laboratories for Natural Products, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
TMA has formal policy supporting more scientific research into the risks and benefits of the medical uses of marijuana. By issuing a license to Prof. Craker, the DEA can demonstrate that it will facilitate, rather than obstruct, the privately-funded scientific evaluation of marijuana’s potential medical uses.
TMA agrees with the letter submitted to you by Dr. Jack Lewin, CEO and Executive Vice-President of the California Medical Association (CMA), which stated, “I am writing in the matter of Craker v. DEA, Docket No. 05-16 to express our view that it is in the public interest for the DEA to issue research licenses to appropriate researchers and facilities to produce marijuana exclusively for federally-approved research.”
If you would like to contact me for any reason, I can be reached at (956) 722-2777. Or feel free to contact Barbara James, BSN, RN, TMA Director of Science and Quality, at (512) 370-1400.
Sincerely,
Leonides G. Cigarroa Jr., MD
Chair, Council on Scientific Affairs
cc. Robert Gunby, MD, President
