Drug Research Barrier Set To Be Removed
According to officials, the Obama administration has plans to do away with a big roadblock that has been hindering marijuana research. This could potentially spur broader scientific study of marijuana and its use in treating a wide array of diseases and medical conditions across many states in the country. It is expected that this new policy by the administration will also increase the available supply of marijuana dramatically so that researchers can get more of it to study.
Good News For Those Who Seek More Research
For those who have already read the promising research surrounding marijuana use and the compounds in the marijuana plant that have healing abilities, this recent announcement is welcomed news. If you were to ask a master of public health from a school like the University of Arizona about the potential for marijuana to be healing, you would probably get a positive response, and there are also many other medical professionals who prefer taking a natural approach to healing who will welcome additional research into the benefits that marijuana can provide when it comes to preventing and treating diseases.
A Shift In The Way People View Marijuana
By taking this important step, the Obama administration is relaxing the country’s overall stance on marijuana further. The Justice Department has not been standing in the way when states throughout the country have decided to legalize the use of marijuana, and President Obama has even stated that he does not think it is any more detrimental than alcohol.
The Effects To Expect
The University of Mississippi has actually been the only institution that for years has been authorized to grow marijuana in order to use it in medical studies. However, because of the restriction on the research, there was always a limited supply of federally approved marijuana that could be used for research. Scientists often found themselves waiting years to get the marijuana, and sometimes it was simply impossible to receive it altogether.
Thankfully, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will begin allowing other universities to start applying to be able to grow marijuana. 25 states have already approved marijuana for medical use for a variety of conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. The additional supply in marijuana will spur more research to back up the use of marijuana to treat those conditions effectively.
Still Viewed As A Drug
Despite allowing for more extensive medical research into marijuana, the federal government has decided to continue classifying the plant as an addictive drug. It also maintains that the plant does not provide medical value, which is the classification that has been in place for 46 years. Therefore, supporters of marijuana will continue fighting for its legalization. If you’d like to get into a career that will allow you to make changes to policies that affect people’s health, such as those involving marijuana use and research, consider getting your masters in public health online.
