Marijuana study gets nowhere

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | 8:50 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Two years have passed since the Legislature directed the University of Nevada Medical School to conduct a study on the effectiveness of medical marijuana, but there hasn't been any progress since the 2001 Legislature.

David Lupan, senior associate dean for basic science and research at the medical school, said there is no interest in doing the study by any staff member.

In addition, Lupan told the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee, the National Institutes of Health have not agreed to release any money for the clinical research.

The voters approved the use of medical marijuana to combat or relieve pain in such ailments as cancer, glaucoma and AIDS. The state Department of Agriculture reports that of this week, 310 people have been approved for use of the substance.

These individuals have gained approval of physicians and they have cards that show they are allowed to use the drug. But there is no authorized outlet to buy the drug.

Lupan said there is a substantial problem to getting the research done. The medical school can't be licensed to conduct the clinical surveys. "It is difficult to find support," he said.

The only clinical trials are being done at the University of California at San Diego, and they are financed by the state of California, not the federal government. "The National Institutes of Health are not particularly interested in pursuing this," Lupan said.

Lupan told the committee he would keep trying to see if things change. But he indicated it may be a long time before any research effort is undertaken at the medical school.