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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom