Summary: Tucson Weekly reports that Colorado state’s Medical Marijuana Scientific Advisory Council has recommended MAPS and Dr. Sue Sisley’s planned study of medical marijuana for PTSD in veterans as a candidate to receive $2 million in funding from state research grants. The report features interviews with veterans about their support for medical marijuana research, includes information about the political pressure that led to Sisley’s termination from the University of Arizona, and discusses Dr. Sisley’s lengthy negotiations with Arizona State University (ASU) about the possibility of conducting the study at ASU. "There has been very slow, slow movement," says state Senator Robert Meza, "And we’re trying to decipher what’s happening with Arizona State University.”
Originally appearing here.
Yesterday, Colorado state’s Medical Marijuana Scientific Advisory Council recommended eight medical MJ research grants for funding, including $2 million for fired UA researcher Sue Sisley, doing groundbreaking research on use of MJ to treat veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. A final decision will be made next month.
From Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment:
“Colorado is leading the way in devoting significant resources to study medical marijuana,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, executive director and chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We hope the studies will contribute to the scientific research available about the use of marijuana in effectively treating various medical conditions.”
Last year, the General Assembly (SB14-155) established the advisory council and authorized $10 million from reserves in the medical marijuana program cash fund for “objective scientific research regarding the efficacy of marijuana and its component parts as part of medical treatment.” The Legislature set aside $1 million of the $10 million to be used for administration of the program by the department.
Each proposal is for a two- or three-year study. The Board of Health has authority to approve or disapprove the grant proposals submitted by the council. In the event of unallocated research funding, the board may direct the department and the advisory council regarding funding of additional research that meets grant requirements.
The department received 57 applications for research grants. Ten of the applications did not meet the grant requirements, and the remaining 47 were reviewed by the council.
