By: Steve Krafft
FOX 10 Phoenix
FOX 10 Phoenix reports on the July 22 gathering of veterans, activists, and community leaders at the University of Arizona to demonstrate their support for the reinstatement of marijuana researcher Dr. Sue Sisley, the principal investigator for MAPS’ planned study of marijuana for PTSD in veterans who was recently fired by the university. The report summarizes the circumstances surrounding Sisley’s termination, highlights the perspective of veterans in favor of medical marijuana research, and mentions that letters to appeal the decision were delivered to the Arizona State Board of Regents and the University of Arizona. “You are at a university; it should be about advancing science and understanding that to me is the key element of this,” explains U.S. Army veteran Sean Kiernan. “I think it is a black eye to the University of Arizona to be honest with you, and for her to get terminated and fired based on this study to me is un-American.”
Originally appearing here.
Veterans are rallying in support of a University of Arizona Professor, Dr. Sue Sisley, who is due to lose her job at pushing for a study of medical marijuana’s uses to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
The vets are asking the University of Arizona to reconsider.
Dr. Sisley is a leading medical marijuana researcher. She wants to see if it helps veterans with PTSD. The UofA is not renewing her contract, and she’s out in September.
Letters were delivered Tuesday to both the State Board of Regents and the University of Arizona, asking for Dr. Sisley’s reinstatement.
“So these are all remote clinics, community health centers,” said Dr. Sue Sisley.
Dr. Sisley lectures at the university’s downtown Phoenix Medical School Campus.
Just outside the building are supporters who say medical marijuana helped them deal with PTSD when nothing else worked.
Sean Kiernan, who was in the U.S. Army, Airborne Infantry. He cannot understand why the University of Arizona wants to cut Sue Sisley loose.
“You are at a university; it should be about advancing science and understanding that to me is the key element of this… I think it is a black eye to the University of Arizona to be honest with you, and for her to get terminated and fired based on this study to me is un-American,” said Sean Kiernan.
Outside Sisley supporters displayed a letter to the University of Arizona, a plea to bring Sisley back. They plan to drop it off at the office of the UofA President.
“I am stunned, and I cannot believe the capacity of these folks to empathize with this situation, I am so grateful,” said Sisley.
The UofA said they haven’t pulled the plug on the study, just Dr. Sisley.
“We have been in contact with the sponsor who has the agreement with the university, that we would like to propose a new principal investigator and move the study to Tucson, and make sure it stays on track,” said Chris Sigurdson with the UofA.
The University of Arizona did not comment further citing personnel matters.
