Colorado is about to start the largest state-funded effort to research medical marijuana. A bill was signed earlier this year that approved millions of dollars for marijuana research in Colorado. The bill should result in roughly 9 million dollars in research grants being handed out over the next five years.
Marijuana research has always been hindered by the federal government, who does it’s own research in secret and tries to fight attempts by others. There have been privately funded research projects, but those projects are always limited by funding. California has spent 8.7 million dollars on research over the last twelve years, which is some of the most solid information ever released and is relied upon by many people in the industry.
It’s great to see the State of Colorado step up research, which will not only benefit Colorado, but also other states that will get to look at the results of the research. Marijuana supporters have always wanted scientific studies, and are willing to let the truth speak for itself. The same cannot be said for marijuana opponents, who deep down know that the scientific results will make it harder to spread their propaganda. That’s why they fight so hard against it. Per the Denver Post:
“Our intent is to be rigorous scientifically, but to also act with some expediency because these are products that a large percentage of our population is using today,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, the executive director and chief medical officer of the health department. “We want to make sure that what’s happening out there in everyday practice isn’t harming people.”
The future of marijuana science is bright. I can’t wait to see what information the Colorado research turns up. Suffering patients will benefit from the information, as will future marijuana reform campaigns. I wonder how Kevin Sabet will try to spin this into a bad thing?
