Michigan wants to study marijuana’s health benefits

[KLAW Blog]

MICHIGAN WANTS TO STUDY MARIJUANA’S HEALTH BENEFITS

When Michigan voters approved recreational marijuana six years ago, they also allocated cannabis tax revenue for research into the health benefits of the drug specifically for military veterans. In a remarkable commitment, state officials dedicated a substantial $40 million to this cause.

Not a single veteran has received marijuana in a trial.

Critics argue that federal restrictions are to blame for the delays in marijuana research. A Michigan study on post-traumatic stress disorder faced obstacles from the Food and Drug Administration, which opposed participants inhaling marijuana, despite it being the primary method of consumption for many veterans.

Additionally, researchers faced significant challenges in acquiring a federally approved marijuana supply for their proposed studies, enduring a time-consuming process spanning nearly two years. Due to legal constraints, they are unable to utilize readily available cannabis from dispensaries.

Consequently, these studies are still several months away from commencing.

In Michigan, veterans like Anton Harb said they believe marijuana holds promise for PTSD treatment and staves off suicidal impulses. He’s a former Army artilleryman who served in Iraq and says marijuana helped ease nightmares, anxiety and depression caused by PTSD.

“Cannabis set me on a path of healing,” said Harb, 41. “I want other veterans to be able to at least make an informed decision.”

Attorney Michael Komorn

State / Federal Legal Defense

With extensive experience in criminal legal defense since 1993 from pre-arrest, District, Circuit, Appeals, Supreme and the Federal court systems.

• Facebook
• X
• LinkedIn

KOMORN LAW (248) 357-2550

Harb has voiced concerns about the slow progress of research. The 2018 legalization of recreational marijuana in Michigan enforced a requirement that generated tax revenue from sales be designated for FDA-approved research.

Since 2021, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency of Michigan has bestowed $40 million in grants upon the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a reputable nonprofit organization.

Researchers say the larger trial in Michigan, paid for with a $12.9 million state grant, will study 320 veterans.

The FDA held up the second trial over concerns about inhalation and danger to the lungs in smoking pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes and vaping, as well as THC dosing. In a Dec. 28 letter, an FDA official said the hold would be lifted if the “drug delivery method” changes. MAPS plans to appeal the ruling. The FDA declined to comment, saying the agency’s “ability to discuss pending [applications] is strictly limited by federal law.”

Some experts, including a prominent pulmonologist who has studied the effects of marijuana smoking, say there is no evidence marijuana smokers are at significant risk of developing lung cancer or pulmonary disease like tobacco smokers. But a study published Wednesday found that frequent cannabis smoking may significantly increase a person’s risk for heart attack and stroke.

There is much more to the story —> Read More here at the Midland Daily News

Related Articles

Michigan wants to study marijuana’s health benefits

MICHIGAN WANTS TO STUDY MARIJUANA’S HEALTH BENEFITSWhen Michigan voters approved recreational marijuana six years ago, they also allocated cannabis tax revenue for research into the health benefits of the drug specifically for military veterans. In a remarkable...

$87 million in adult-use marijuana payments to be sent out across Michigan

The Michigan Department of Treasury today announced that more than $87 million is being distributed among 269 municipalities and counties as a part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. Over the next few days, 99 cities, 30 villages, 69 townships...

Protest about marijuana and tobacco sales to kids

Protest about marijuana and tobacco sales to kidsWatch the report here on Channel 7 WXYZ TV Detroit (who disabled the embedding feature)Related ArticlesMore Posts

Michigan: No Evidence of Widespread Discriminatory Policing Practices

No Evidence of Widespread Discriminatory Policing PracticesNever Ending Quest January 18, 2024 In the department’s continuing work to research and address racial disparities in traffic stops, independent consulting firm CNA has determined that racial disparities...

More Posts

Rescheduling Marijuana Would Be a Threat to Public Health

Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana says policy makers need to learn from their mistakes with hemp when considering marijuana rescheduling. It’s rare for policymakers to get a preview of the consequences of pending policies, but the descheduling of...

read more

Meet MiChap

Climate and Health Adaptation ProgramYou must save yourself from yourself.Meet MICHAPOur Vision: Michigan's public health system fosters equitable health and wellbeing as it adapts to the current and future impacts of climate change. Our Mission: The Michigan Climate...

read more

Feds discover new methods to distinguish hemp and marijuana to assist crime labs

Federally funded researchers have uncovered two methods to divide and diversify the difference between hemp and cannabis to assist to crime labs. Because Cannabis is still a crime and Hemp is not...The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 classified the plant cannabis,...

read more

Laws passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2023 will take effect

Several new laws passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2023 will take effect on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2023Making use of the first combined Democratic majority in the state House, Senate, and governor's seat in decades, legislators have the numbers and have successfully approved...

read more

Legal Consequences of Rescheduling Marijuana – 2024

Legal Consequences of Rescheduling Marijuana Jan 2024 a report from the Congressional Research Service.

read more

Scientists Discover The Reason Cannabis Causes The Munchies

For the first time, scientists have uncovered the precise neurological impacts of cannabis use that give rise to the phenomenon famously referred to as the "munchies," as revealed by an innovative study backed by federal funds. Researchers at Washington State...

read more

Maker of CBD products asks court to decide

The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here. Organized crime, from the mafia to small-time money laundering schemes, often evades criminal...

read more

Transcription of the 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress Proposing 12 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

This information was taken from archives.gov. One should assume it is factual... but assuming information is a fact is a perilous assumption.  Here is what you paid for... Transcription of the 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress Proposing 12 Amendments to the U.S....

read more

New laws for 2024 – Buckle Up

States nationwide will welcome the upcoming year with the implementation of laws tackling crucial matters such as gun violence, book bans, and the introduction of gender-neutral toy sections. These legislative advancements are set to take effect throughout 2024,...

read more

New laws in Michigan for 2024

Michigan teens can pre-register to vote With the next election season, Michigan Democrats passed a new law that allows 16-year-old high school students in the state to pre-register to vote. "Michigan led the nation in youth voter turnout in the 2022 elections and we...

read more

« Older Entries

The post Michigan wants to study marijuana’s health benefits appeared first on Komorn Law.

View the full article