Today, multiple news outlets quoted SAM after the DEA announcement denying the rescheduling of marijuana and increasing research opportunities.
DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg, in an unprecedented move, wrote a lengthy letter to the Governors of Washington and Rhode Island explaining the Administration’s decision.
More news coverage from today:
Obama Administration Set to Remove Barrier to Marijuana Research
The New York Times, Catherine Saint Louisa and Matt Apuzzo, 8/10/16
The Obama administration is planning to remove a major roadblock to marijuana research, officials said Wednesday, potentially spurring broad scientific study of a drug that is being used to treat dozens of diseases in states across the nation despite little rigorous evidence of its effectiveness… “They’re looking at the science, taking a nuanced view,” said Kevin A. Sabet, a former Obama administration drug-policy adviser and president of the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “It’s a good day for science.”
· See Also: Las Vegas Sun, The Daily Caller, Tampa Bay Times
U.S. affirms its prohibition on medical marijuana
The Washington Post, Lenny Bernstein, 8/11/16
On Thursday, the government once again refused to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, reaffirming its conclusion that the drug’s therapeutic value has not been proved scientifically and defying a growing clamor to legalize it for the treatment of a variety of conditions…“We’re pleased to see that the Obama Administration … understands the science the way we and almost every single medical association in the country understand it,” said Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which opposes loosening restrictions on marijuana.
· See Also: Inquisitr
Marijuana to remain illegal under federal law, DEA says
USA Today, Donna Leinwand Leger, 8/11/16
Marijuana advocates who hoped the cascade of states moving to legalize medical marijuana would soften the federal stance on the drug faced disappointment Thursday as the Drug Enforcement Administration announced it will keep marijuana illegal for any purpose… “The decision signals a difficult road ahead for legalization efforts,” said Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and a former Obama administration drug advisor. Companies that seek to use marijuana as medicine will have to go through the same rigorous scientific evaluation as traditional pharmaceutical drugs. “This is a vindication for science and for people who have said to go slow,” Sabet said. “I think it’s a bad day for legalization efforts and a good day for scientists.”
· See Also: KHOU (Houston)
Drug Enforcement Administration Will Not Call for Reclassifying Marijuana
NBCNews.com, Pete Williams, 8/11/16
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Thursday it will not call for reclassifying marijuana, dashing the hopes of advocates of legalization and rejecting calls from some states and members of Congress who say growing knowledge and public acceptance should result in looser regulations. [Embedded video segment features Kevin Sabet]
US to allow more marijuana research, sources say
Reuters/Fox News, Staff Report, 8/11/16
The U.S. government will announce on Thursday that it will allow more research into marijuana but has rejected requests to relax the classification of the substance as a dangerous, highly addictive drug with no medical use, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said… “This is a good day for science,” said Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a group that opposes legalization. “This shows that the federal government is flexible on legitimate research but is nowhere near wanting to legalize marijuana.”
DEA: Marijuana has no medical value, will remain in same category as heroin and LSD
Charlotte Observer, Rob Hotakainen, 8/11/16
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws said the DEA had chosen to reaffirm a “flat-earth position,” while the National Cannabis Industry Association said the ruling “flies in the face of objective science and overwhelming public opinion.” Marijuana opponents hailed the decision and predicted it would stop the momentum of the nation’s legalization movement. “To be honest, it vindicates us,” said Kevin Sabet, president of the anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, one of the few who had predicted the DEA would not reschedule the drug. Sabet said the ruling would “raise eyebrows in the legalization community” among those who had pressured the DEA to reschedule marijuana but added: “This now sets them way back.”
More U.S. Universities Will be Allowed to Grow Marijuana for Research
Health Day, Staff Report, 8/11/16
The number of universities in the United States allowed to grow marijuana for research is going to be increased, Obama administration officials say. Currently, the University of Mississippi is the only institution authorized to grow the drug for use in medical studies. It’s unclear how many more universities will receive licenses to grow marijuana, The New York Times reported… “They’re looking at the science, taking a nuanced view,” Kevin Sabet, a former Obama administration drug-policy adviser and president of the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, told The Times. “It’s a good day for science.”
· See Also: U.S. News & World Report
US government opens the door for more medical marijuana research
The Verge, James Vincent, 8/11/16
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has rejected an appeal to declassify marijuana, but announced plans to unlock more medical research into the substance. Licenses will be given to a number of universities to cultivate the plant for research purposes. Previously, only one institution — the University of Mississippi — has been allowed to do so, creating a bottleneck for research, with scientists having to wait years to obtain federally approved samples.”This is a good day for science,” Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, told Reuters. “This shows that the federal government is flexible on legitimate research but is nowhere near wanting to legalize marijuana.”
The U.S. Will Loosen Marijuana Regulations for Science
Inverse, Mike Brown, 8/11/16
The U.S. government’s approach to marijuana research is undergoing a radical change. On Thursday, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced that it will loosen rules around scientific study, allowing other institutions to grow and distribute the drug for research purposes. The only institute currently allowed to do so is the University of Mississippi… “This shows that the federal government is flexible on legitimate research but is nowhere near wanting to legalize marijuana,” said Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.