Last January we accepted petitions from the public to add PTSD 1; PTSD 2; Depression; Migraines; and Generalized Anxiety Disorder to the list of conditions that qualify patients to receive a Medical Marijuana Registration Card. Because my guiding principle for making the decision was to use science and research to make the decision, we contracted with the U of A College of Public Health to do an evidence review of published scientific studies to help us to make a more informed decision. You can see the UA’s analyses for Depression; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Migraine Headaches; and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on our petition website. Our literature review found limited scientific evidence to document whether Cannabis is helpful or not for the petitioned conditions or that support permanently adding the petitioned conditions to the statutory list of qualifying debilitating conditions identified in the Act. In short- I didn’t approve the petitions last year because of the lack of published data regarding the risks and benefits of using Cannabis to treat or provide relief for the petitioned conditions.
The AZ Medical Marijuana Act requires us to periodically accept petitions to add new medical conditions- and we are once again accepting petitions to add new debilitating medical conditions this week (January 25 – 31) on our petition website. Our medical team will meet after January 31st and will be providing me with an initial analysis regarding whether any petitions we receive meet the screening criteria… and we’ll be using the UA College of Public Health to review the scientific literature for any that pass the screening test. Assuming we receive qualified petitions, I’ll need to make a final decision by July 2013. Our website shows folks how, what, where, and when to submit petitions.
Why waste the time playing these stupid games with you. You made it clear you are not acceptting any new conditions so why waste the time and money. Maybe you shoul hire somebody to run this program that does not even know the differents between Hemp and marijuana… never mind you did.
I agree how can there be any confirming studies when the Government refuses to allow any?
The whole thing is foolish, petition for what and why when the State of Arizona does not hear them in good faith?
There will be no data on any diseases as NO studies are allowed? This is just a game to say no, anyway and anyhow.
Instead of hiding behind the facade of scientific impartiality and rigorous procedure, why don’t you simply level with the tens, if not hundreds of thousands of would-be patients you’re depriving of legal means to effectively treat their many conditions? The fact is, you’re not going to add any new conditions under this provision of the law. The reason is the unreasonably high bar is there because the frauds at the DEA classify Cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug which is supposedly for substances which are physically addictive and have no medicinal benefits. Thousands of years of safe human usage of this plant proves otherwise, but this absurd scheduling means that they can in fact stifle the exact type of research you’re saying is necessary, because they strictly control who can legally research Cannabis, and they routinely block such research from proceeding. You are helping to perpetuate a fraud and you should be ashamed.
Michael and Steve,
You seem to be more sure about the petition outcome than I am.
I am almost 100% sure of the outcome….. Prove me wrong……………..
Ray Charles can see what you are doing. Set the bar where it can never be reached and you have an end to adding any condition. It is just another way for you to try and shut this program down or make it useless. We have all seen and heard you get on TV and say nothing but bad things about the program. Example, I’m doing the chaa so nobody can grow, another one, This small group of Dr is writing all the scripts for these cards and then you act like they are doing something wrong to cast doubt on the program when you know better than anybody that any Dr who is getting federal money is not going to touch one of these cards. But you made it sound like two Dr’s wrote all 33,000 cards.
Here is some research for you, These DOCTORS have been researching marijuana since 1964. Are you going to say they don’t know what they are talking about?
Israel has been at the forefront of research into marijuana for decades
Aided by Israel’s strong reputation in science and medicine, the medical marijuana industry in Israel is to set to expand with official government support, the Associated Press reported.
Unlike in U.S. where the federal government is battling states legalizing medical marijuana, the issue is facing little opposition from the Israeli government. In fact, the Israeli Health Ministry is considering the distribution of medical marijuana in pharmacies next year.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/international-news/israel-becoming-leader-medical-marijuana-research
Hi there. I found your blog very interesting. Keep sharing.
Hey Will,
Can you explain how marijuana is a class I drug (no known medical benefits) And Abbot Laboratories can SELL MARINOL???
Ive heard that keeping marijuana a class 1 drug funds most of the DEA’s budget….
What does it cost in taxes to keep all of these poor folks in jail?$40,000 per year each plus the $4500/year that the average worker pays in taxes= $44,500 per year lost-unless you are one of Jan Brewer’s private prison buddys.
Legalize it PERIOD and get the US out of debt!