Pubdate: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Copyright: 2014 Sun-Sentinel Company Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159 Author: Evan Halper, Tribune Washington Bureau Page: 9A LEADING MARIJUANA RESEARCHER FIRED BY ARIZONA UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON - The University of Arizona has fired a prominent marijuana researcher who only months ago received rare approval from federal drug officials to study the effects of pot on patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The firing of Suzanne Sisley, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry, puts her research in jeopardy and has sparked indignation from medical marijuana advocates. Sisley charges she was fired after her research created unwanted attention for the university from legislative Republicans who control its purse strings. "This is a clear political retaliation for the advocacy and education I have been providing the public and lawmakers," Sisley said Tuesday. University officials declined to explain why Sisley's contract was not renewed but objected to her characterization. "The university has received no political pressure to terminate any employee," said Chris Sigurdson, a university spokesman. On Friday, Sisley received letters from the university informing her that her relationship with the school will be terminated as of Sept. 26. In March, the National Institute on Drug Abuse moved to approve Sisley's research. The decision - Suzanne Sisley, fired researcher came as a surprise because some researchers have long accused the institute of hostility toward proposals aimed at examining the possible health benefits of marijuana. Activists said the decision reflected a shift in thinking by the Obama administration and gave hope to scientists who have had difficulty getting authorization to study how the drug might be used to treat patients. But back in Arizona, the research plan disturbed some important figures. Sisley's study was designed to involve veterans who would use marijuana in an observation facility. She had lobbied state lawmakers for approval to use state funds collected at medical marijuana dispensaries to help pay for the work. When a Republican senator maneuvered to block that money, some of Sisley's allies launched an unsuccessful recall effort. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom