A "GROWING" DEBATE

Professor Pursues Marijuana Research

There is no denying that the University of Massachusetts is a veteran
when it comes to making national headlines. Throughout the nation,
UMass is known for its sport victories, academic achievements, student
activism, large student body and of course, a few heated riots. Since
last Tuesday however, UMass was recognized for something new, yet
fitting for such a unique and innovative University - medicinal
marijuana research.

Standing alongside UMass throughout unusual headlines, was the source
of last week's media stir: UMass Professor Lyle Craker. After six
years of attempts to obtain a license to perform studies of medicinal
marijuana, an administrative law judge has finally opened a window of
opportunity for Professor Craker.

This Tuesday, the judge made a nonbinding ruling which suggested the
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to allow Craker to pursue his research
at UMass. DEA administrator, Karen Tandy, who has made no comment on
the issue, will make the final decision on this ruling.

In the past, the DEA has been wary to grant Craker his requests for a
reason which is twofold. First, there are the international treaties
which limit the U.S. to one production facility of medicinal
marijuana, and second due to fear that extending production to other
owners would lead to increased illegal uses.

However, Dr. Craker, along with UMass' Vice Provost for Research, Paul
Kostecki, made it very clear that this research would not encourage
illegal uses of the drug in any way. "We will ensure that the research
is sound and that there is strict security, no safety issues,"
Kostecki said. Kostecki, who has known Dr. Craker for years, also
emphasized the professor's credibility. "Dr. Craker is a national
leader in the area of medicinal use of plants. I've followed his
pursuit of this line of research for years, and he's followed all
correct procedures despite running against DEA opposition."

He also makes note that Dr. Craker's research will not have a negative
impact on the university, explaining that the funding Dr. Craker will
receive comes from an outside group unsatisfied with amount and
quality of marijuana plants used in research today.

Currently, all research on the medical benefits of marijuana in the
U.S. is conducted under DEA controlled studies at the University of
Mississippi. The medical benefits of marijuana are widely known, being
cited in most medical journals as helping to treat nausea, seizures
and patients with serious conditions such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Yet,
medical research on marijuana is limited because of limitations set by
the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the DEA. As the NIDA
Web site recognizes, marijuana is designated to the most restrictive
drug category, meaning, "that the drug in its usual form has a high
potential for abuse and has no commonly accepted medical use in this
country."

The NIDA recognizes the possible benefits of marijuana but states
that, "little data from clinical trials are available to support or
refute these claims."

These restrictions have fueled Dr. Craker and a group of California
researchers who plan on financially backing his studies, to pursue
marijuana research even further. "The government, through the NIDA and
the DEA, control all legal uses of this plant material, deciding who
can legally grow and who can legally evaluate any medical benefits.
Thus, they can control any test results," Dr. Craker states.

Although he recognizes that these organizations are simply doing their
job by protecting people from potential drug abuse, he also recognizes
that the stigma that marijuana carries can inhibit the research of its
benefits. He states that there must be a "change in political
attitudes that can be directed to the protecting agencies indicating
that testing for medical use is okay."

Jim Fox, UMass student and member of the Cannabis Reform Coalition,
although excited by last Tuesday's news, expressed concerns with the
DEA's control of marijuana studies. "I think it's a good idea for him
[Dr. Craker], to do these studies at UMass." He states, "It's good
that it's going to be a high quality supply for research as opposed to
that which the feds grow in Mississippi, which is low quality." He
also adds, "The DEA grows marijuana that's lower quality to fudge results."

Ann Russell, also a member of the coalition, recognizes the benefits
of this research in transforming the fear that surrounds marijuana. "I
think that if people see that you can do research on marijuana, the
fear around the drug will subside a bit," she stated.

As much as the coalition was pleased by last Tuesday's news, Fox made
it clear that Dr. Craker's research will have no affect on UMass'
stance on recreational use of marijuana or any other drug on campus.

Most students, such as UMass student Sonya James, realize this, and
are in support of Dr. Craker's pursuits. "The government shouldn't be
able to control everything," she said, "I think if they're really
doing research, and he can prove it, then why not allow it?"

UMass student Christopher Scot Bartelson agrees with the research but
emphasized that it's important to conduct the research properly. "I
think it is important that background research should be done on the
professor and make sure he has a thorough and detailed outline showing
what he plans to do with the marijuana so that he is not just
obtaining it to brag or possibly use it in an inappropriate way."

"The only reason that this is a big deal in the first place is because
it is the infamous 'marijuana', which has basically become a beacon of
illegal fun in our society," Bartelson added.

This beacon of "illegal fun" as Bartelson suggested, could be a major
reason why Dr. Craker has faced such opposition from the DEA. He has
received support however, from many groups, including the ACLU and the
university.

Kostecki said, "This is what a university is supposed to do - support
research, especially that which can be used for the good of society.
We have all the confidence in the world in Lyle."