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Gov't approves study of marijuana smoking to treat PTSD in military veterans
Category: Medical Marijuana | Posted on Wed, March, 19th 2014 by THCFinder
Could marijuana help treat post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans? New research aims to find out.
The U.S. government has signed off on a long-delayed study looking at marijuana as a treatment for military veterans with PTSD, a development that drug researchers are hailing as a major shift in U.S. policy.
The study will measure the effects of five different potencies of smoked or vaporized marijuana in treating symptoms of PTSD in 50 veterans.
The Department of Health and Human Services' decision surprised marijuana advocates who have struggled for decades to secure federal approval for research into the drug's medical uses.
The proposal from the University of Arizona was long ago cleared by the Food and Drug Administration, but researchers had been unable to purchase marijuana from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The agency's Mississippi research farm is the only federally-sanctioned source of the drug.
In a letter last week, HHS cleared the purchase of medical marijuana by the studies' chief financial backer, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, which supports medical research and legalization of marijuana and other drugs.
"MAPS has been working for over 22 years to start marijuana drug development research, and this is the first time we've been granted permission to purchase marijuana from NIDA," the Boston-based group said in a statement. The federal government has never before approved medical research involving smoked or vaporized marijuana, according to MAPS.
A spokesman for the group said organizers have called off a protest over the stalled study that was planned for later this year.
While more than 1 million Americans take medical marijuana -- usually for chronic pain -- rigorous medical research into the drug's effects has been limited, in part due to federal restrictions.
Marijuana remains a Schedule I substance under the federal government's Controlled Substance Act, meaning it has no medical use and has high potential for abuse.
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Marijuana Use Rises While Consumption Of Cocaine, Methamphetamine Falls
Category: News | Posted on Wed, March, 19th 2014 by THCFinder
A rise in the self-reported consumption of cannabis during the years 2006 to 2010 corresponds with a significant decline in Americans’ use of cocaine and methamphetamine during this same time period, according to a new RAND study commissioned by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
Researchers estimate that Americans increased their consumption of cannabis by approximately 30 percent during the years 2006 to 2010. During this same time, authors estimated that the public’s use of cocaine and methamphetamine declined, with Americans’ use of cocaine falling by half.
Americans’ consumption of heroin remained largely stable throughout the decade, the study reported. According to statistics compiled by the US Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 4.5 million Americans have tried heroin in their lifetimes. By comparison, an estimated 12 million Americans have tried methamphetamine, 37.5 million have tried cocaine, and 111 million have consumed cannabis.
Authors estimated that Americans spent approximately one trillion dollars on the purchase of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine between 2000 and 2010.
Commenting on the report, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said, “These figures belie that notion that marijuana exposure is an alleged ‘gateway’ to the use of other illicit substances and instead suggest that for some people, cannabis may be a substitute for other so-called ‘hard drugs’ or even an exit drug.”
Survey data published in 2013 in the journal Addiction Research & Theory reported that among a cohort of medical marijuana consumers, 75 percent of subjects acknowledged that they used cannabis it as a substitute for prescription drugs, alcohol, or some other illicit substance.
Read more: http://www.theweedblog.com
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6 face charges following medical marijuana raids
Category: News | Posted on Wed, March, 19th 2014 by THCFinder
Six people have been charged following raids last June on three medical marijuana dispensaries in southern Michigan that authorities said were operating illegally.
The Calhoun County prosecutor issued warrants Friday in the Springfield raids and Michigan State Police have begun to make arrests.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Matt Smith told the Battle Creek Enquirer that the warrants were issued for employees and owners of The Karmacy and two other dispensaries. Charges include delivery of marijuana and possession with intent to deliver.
Bruce Leach, a lawyer representing Karmacy owner Kiel Howland, said his client surrendered on Monday and he’s confident that Howland will be exonerated. All three dispensaries were licensed by the city of Springfield and Leach said Karmacy earlier was inspected by law enforcement.
“Everything was completely legal,” Leach said. “This is a little ridiculous. They are not criminals but they are being turned into criminals.”
Michigan voters approved marijuana use for some chronic medical conditions in 2008, but the legality of dispensaries has been thrown into doubt by court rulings.
The charges follow the raids by the state police and the Southwest Enforcement Team on June 26 at the three dispensaries and homes of owners in Kalamazoo and Barry counties. If convicted, possible penalties range from maximums of four years to seven years behind bars.
Read more: http://www.freep.com/
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