^®: CRE Regulatory Action of the Week

Patients' Data Quality Petition Challenges Science Underlying HHS Findings on Medical Marijuana
Americans for Safe Access (ASA), has filed a Data Quality petition with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) which alleges that HHS findings, which it continues to disseminate, that medical marijuana has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States are inaccurate and biased and lack objectivity. The challenge asserts that HHS has ignored or failed to consider adequately numerous valid and well-recognized studies, including a recent study by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, which show the efficacy of marijuana in treating nausea, loss of appetite, pain, and spasticity. ASA is a non-profit representing the interests of patients being treated for cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, spinal injury and other medical conditions producing chronic pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and spasticity. The petition was filed on October 4, 2004, and ASA held a protest rally at HHS headquarters in Washington, DC on October 5. Nine States now allow medical marijuana, and numerous public health organizations endorse its medical use according to ASA.