cannabisnews.com: UMass Professor Seeks OK To Grow Marijuana Legally





UMass Professor Seeks OK To Grow Marijuana Legally
Posted by CN Staff on August 29, 2003 at 07:47:48 PT
By Marcella Bombardieri, Globe Staff
Source: Boston Globe 
For more than 30 years, University of Massachusetts professor Lyle Craker has worked in obscurity, experimenting with medicinal plants like black cohosh, goldenseal, and maca. Now he wants to grow a far more controversial plant in his Amherst lab: the strongest research marijuana in the country.Craker is awaiting a decision from the US Drug Enforcement Administration that could make UMass the second institution in America to grow marijuana legally. A public comment period on his application ends next month.
Currently, the University of Mississippi provides all the marijuana plants for medical researchers, who are experimenting with the drug as an antidote to pain for patients with such diseases as AIDS and cancer. Craker says he could grow a stronger, higher-quality product, and do it without government funding."When you have a complete monopoly you have no incentive to improve the material," said Craker. "In science there needs to be friendly competition in order to push the frontiers. It's the capitalist system, you could say."UMass officials including Chancellor John V. Lombardi have approved Craker's quest for permission. Five members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation urged the DEA in a letter last year to allow privately funded facilities to produce marijuana.(The signers were Representatives Barney Frank, John W. Olver, James P. McGovern, William D. Delahunt, and Michael E. Capuano.)Yet Craker is fighting an uphill battle. Former DEA chief Asa Hutchinson responded to the congressmen with a letter saying that as long as the University of Mississippi "continues to meet the nation's need for research-grade marijuana while maintaining the highest level of safeguards against diversion," an international treaty and US law "dictate that it remain the sole domestic producer."But Craker's proposal would not violate the treaty or the law, say his supporters -- including the American Civil Liberties Union, which sent the DEA an eight-page letter to that effect last year.Craker said his lab is prepared to take extraordinary precautions, including hiring a 24-hour guard and installing security cameras. He said that all plant materials, as small as a single fallen leaf, would have to be carefully catalogued and destroyed under his proposal, which was first reported in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.Craker would not do the research himself, but rather make the marijuana available to federally approved scientists. Researchers would pay for the plant, although Craker shied away from saying he was "selling" marijuana."I know that UMass is desperate for money, but I can just see the headlines," he said, adding that the money would partly go simply to pay for the lab's guards. "It's going to be expensive," said Craker, who works in the department of plant and soil sciences.If the DEA rejects Craker's bid after the public comment period ends Sept. 22, the professor can appeal to a federal administrative judge.He has already received a small grant from an advocacy group called the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies. The group's president, Richard Doblin, could not be reached yesterday because he was at the Burning Man festival in Nevada.Source: Boston Globe (MA)Author: Marcella Bombardieri, Globe StaffPublished: August 29, 2003Copyright: 2003 Globe Newspaper CompanyContact: letter globe.comWebsite: http://www.boston.com/globe/Related Articles & Web Sites:MAPShttp://www.maps.org/MassCannhttp://www.masscann.org/UMass Prof Seeks Pot Permit http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17170.shtmlPrivatizing Pot - Reason Magazinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16836.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by Rev Jonathan Adler on August 31, 2003 at 23:48:59 PT:
Exemption to supply "Controlled Substance"
How does a government permit program exist; when they have NEVER given out a permit? It's not a permit program, only a delay, disguise and disgust program. Ask Dr. Ethan Russo or any other doctor or researcher trying to get good medical grade cannabis for research. We also are queing up for this auspicious privilege and service. Only one thing makes us different. We have an unquestioned authority to conduct our "healing ministry" with federal respect and protection, by virtue of Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. We have met the standard and will gladly take up the responsibility of the highest grade medicinal supply as soon as recognition and cooperation prevail. Legitimate, sincere and mandated to use this plant for healing. Amen. Rev. Jonathan Adler
Hawaii Medical Marijuana.com
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 29, 2003 at 16:59:23 PT
ekim
Thank you for the information on Farm Aid. I don't know the answer to your question though. I think I read it was postponed to a later date.
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on August 29, 2003 at 15:33:09 PT
when is Willie havin a fundrasier for Denis K.
http://www.farmaid.org/event/conc/The 2003 concert is scheduled for September 7th at Germain Amphitheater in Columbus, Ohio. The concert is SOLD OUT, BUT you can still win tickets! In conjunction with eBay, Farm Aid is auctioning Front and Second Row seats with VIP bonuses, as well as pavilion seats with an Official Farm Aid 2003 Logo T Shirt and Program Book! 
In addition, For the first time ever, Farm Aid is auctioning signed memorabilia, including shirts, posters, guitars, and CDs. This is the only Official Farm Aid auction, and the only auction who’s proceeds benefit Farm Aid. Click here to find out more and to place your bid! Click here for 2003 concert news... Buy Hot new Farm Aid 2003 merchandise... 
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