Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2016
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2016 Associated Press
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24

PHOENIX VA HOSPITAL STOPS MEDICAL POT PRESENTATION

A doctor is upset after the Veterans Affairs hospital in Phoenix 
blocked her from giving a lecture about marijuana's effect on 
veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dr. Sue Sisley has been conducting a study on PTSD and medical 
marijuana this summer. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
approved her work, the Phoenix VA Medical Center told Sisley she 
couldn't give a presentation there.

"The notion that the Phoenix VA hospital refuses to allow that 
information to be shared with their medical staff is really 
shameful," Sisley told KTAR-FM (92.3).

Medical marijuana is legal in Arizona, but it's still a federal crime 
to possess pot. The VA center isn't allowed to promote or recruit 
veterans for marijuana research, said Dr. Samuel Aguayo, associate 
chief of staff for research at the Phoenix hospital.

"VA medical staff are not authorized to make a decision on whether 
marijuana and marijuana research is appropriate for veterans," he explained.

Sisley, however, argued that the VA has a duty to support research 
that could uncover new treatment for veterans with PTSD.

Congress recently passed legislation that would allow VA doctors to 
discuss medical marijuana with veterans. Aguayo said the center might 
reconsider Sisley's lecture if that bill is signed into law.

"We will examine what the law allows and doesn't allow," he said. "It 
may have an impact on our decision to permit this activity here at 
the Phoenix VA or not."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom