FDA: No Medical Benefit From Marijuana

The Food and Drug Administration’s statement contradicts a 1999 review by a panel of highly regarded scientists.

N.Y. Times:

April 21, 2006
F.D.A. Dismisses Medical Benefit From Marijuana
By GARDINER HARRIS

WASHINGTON, April 20—The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that “no sound scientific studies” supported the medical use of marijuana, contradicting a 1999 review by a panel of highly regarded scientists.

The announcement inserts the health agency into yet another fierce political fight.

Susan Bro, an agency spokeswoman, said Thursday’s statement resulted from a past combined review by federal drug enforcement, regulatory and research agencies that concluded “smoked marijuana has no currently accepted or proven medical use in the United States and is not an approved medical treatment.”

Ms. Bro said the agency issued the statement in response to numerous inquiries from Capitol Hill but would probably do nothing to enforce it.

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From the N.Y. Times

The FDA said it is not likely to enforce its statement, as this issue technically falls under the purview of the Drug Enforcement Administration.