Government still stalling on Cannabis research

It’s comical that the majority of individuals still opposing Cannabis don’t even know why or how it became illegal in the first place. Many assume that Cannabis was made illegal through strict government hearings, which included intense scientific and medical research. Not exactly. Back in 1930, the government launched the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, with Harry Anslinger as the first appointed commissioner.  In his infamous report to the U.S Senate Anslinger stated that “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.” This campaign of fear and disinformation led by Anslinger- later inherited by Richard Nixon-is what had demonized Cannabis. The damage done by these uneducated, ignorant control-freaks is still lingering, particularly in the labeling of Cannabis. Initially, congress decided to “temporarily” classify Cannabis as Schedule 1 Controlled Substance until they properly researched it. That was back in 1970. Fast forward to 2015 & the research is still no where to be found. As the article states, a trio of federal agencies — the DEA, NIDA and the Food and Drug Administration — regulate the federal marijuana research process, determining which research gets a government stamp of approval, along with research-grade cannabis Why is it that the government is still hindering Cannabis-related research? Regardless of the reason, cannabis legalization is no longer a matter of how, but when. The charade cannot go on for much longer.

 

Read more at: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/25/pot-research-stalled-even-as-legalization-gains-momentum.html?utm_source=inside&utm_medium=link