Latest news with #DuaneBoise
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
DEA's War on Marijuana Science: How Bureaucratic Clowns Are Blocking Clinical Trials While Spreading Fear Based Fiction
Duane Boise MMJ CEO opined 'Now all eyes turn to DEA Administrator-nominee Terrance Cole. Thus far, his public marijuana statements have been evasive, his confirmation answers noncommittal, and his track record steeped in anti-cannabis fearmongering. However, as the DEA boss, he needs to stop the clown show in comparing cannabis to methamphetamine with no clinical basis and distributing memes claiming cannabis lowers sperm count by 50%, despite contradictory evidence'. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / June 1, 2025 / The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has once again embarrassed itself, this time by promoting the ludicrous claim that marijuana may cause more psychosis than methamphetamine. This sensationalist garbage-circulated through their 'Just Think Twice' campaign-was framed with all the seriousness of a peer-reviewed journal, yet backed by none of the clinical evidence. Let's be clear: this is not science. This is propaganda. And it's especially dangerous coming from the very agency actively obstructing legitimate, federally regulated research into the medical use of cannabis. At the center of the absurdity is a cherry-picked quote from Oregon psychiatrist David Rettew, claiming that marijuana 'raises the risk of psychotic disorders more than other drugs, even methamphetamines.' There's no clinical study cited, no peer-reviewed data, no rigorous comparative analysis just an offhand opinion that the DEA spun into a headline to keep cannabis in the shadows. Meanwhile, MMJ BioPharma Cultivation-one of the only companies in the country following federal law to the letter-is still barred from growing cannabis for FDA-authorized clinical trials. Let that sink in. The DEA refuses to let a federally compliant company conduct gold-standard scientific research, while simultaneously pushing psychobabble memes about marijuana and infertility, emojis that 'mean drugs,' and 'natural highs' like pet stores and Instagram followers. This is not a public health agency-it's a clown car with a badge. MMJ BioPharma: The Victim of Bureaucratic Sabotage MMJ BioPharma Cultivation has: And yet, the DEA has refused for seven years to issue a Schedule I bulk manufacturing registration. Why? Not because of safety concerns. Not because of noncompliance. But because-unlike Curaleaf, Cookies, and other recreational giants-MMJ isn't playing the political lobbying game or hiding behind state loopholes. MMJ is doing it the right way, and that seems to be precisely the problem. While cartels and corporate exporters freely move THC products overseas through 'strategic partnerships' and shadowy legal gymnastics, MMJ is being crushed under the weight of federal inaction. The DEA has even subjected them to a constitutionally defective administrative hearing-overseen by an ALJ whose very authority the DOJ has now disavowed. DEA: Champion of Pseudoscience and Policy Hypocrisy Let's talk about the DEA's latest intellectual triumphs: Meanwhile, the DEA continues to ignore the 2023 HHS recommendation to reschedule cannabis, based on real, peer-reviewed, FDA-analyzed scientific data. You cannot claim to care about psychosis while blocking the very clinical trials designed to test safety, efficacy, and neurological effects. That's not science. That's obstruction. Terrance Cole's Choice: Lead or Rubber Stamp the Marijuana Rot Now all eyes turn to DEA Administrator-nominee Terrance Cole. Thus far, his public statements have been evasive, his confirmation answers noncommittal, and his track record steeped in anti-cannabis fearmongering. If Cole refuses to address the unconstitutional DEA tribunals, if he refuses to approve MMJ's license after seven years of federal compliance, if he continues parroting outdated 'gateway drug' nonsense-then the agency's credibility, already on life support, will collapse entirely. End the Madness. Let Science Lead. The DEA's current posture is untenable. It is promoting misinformation, blocking research, and enabling a regulatory regime that favors corporate exports and illicit markets while punishing pharmaceutical innovators. MMJ BioPharma has done everything right. The DEA has done everything wrong. It's time to stop the clown show, shut down the pseudoscience, and issue the damn license. MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT: Madison Hisey [email protected] 203-231-8583 SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings press release
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
DEA's War on Marijuana Science: How Bureaucratic Clowns Are Blocking Clinical Trials While Spreading Fear Based Fiction
Duane Boise MMJ CEO opined 'Now all eyes turn to DEA Administrator-nominee Terrance Cole. Thus far, his public marijuana statements have been evasive, his confirmation answers noncommittal, and his track record steeped in anti-cannabis fearmongering. However, as the DEA boss, he needs to stop the clown show in comparing cannabis to methamphetamine with no clinical basis and distributing memes claiming cannabis lowers sperm count by 50%, despite contradictory evidence'. WASHINGTON, DC / / June 1, 2025 / The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has once again embarrassed itself, this time by promoting the ludicrous claim that marijuana may cause more psychosis than methamphetamine. This sensationalist garbage-circulated through their "Just Think Twice" campaign-was framed with all the seriousness of a peer-reviewed journal, yet backed by none of the clinical evidence. Let's be clear: this is not science. This is propaganda. And it's especially dangerous coming from the very agency actively obstructing legitimate, federally regulated research into the medical use of cannabis. At the center of the absurdity is a cherry-picked quote from Oregon psychiatrist David Rettew, claiming that marijuana "raises the risk of psychotic disorders more than other drugs, even methamphetamines." There's no clinical study cited, no peer-reviewed data, no rigorous comparative analysis just an offhand opinion that the DEA spun into a headline to keep cannabis in the shadows. Meanwhile, MMJ BioPharma Cultivation-one of the only companies in the country following federal law to the letter-is still barred from growing cannabis for FDA-authorized clinical trials. Let that sink in. The DEA refuses to let a federally compliant company conduct gold-standard scientific research, while simultaneously pushing psychobabble memes about marijuana and infertility, emojis that "mean drugs," and "natural highs" like pet stores and Instagram followers. This is not a public health agency-it's a clown car with a badge. MMJ BioPharma: The Victim of Bureaucratic Sabotage MMJ BioPharma Cultivation has: Two FDA-authorized INDs for treating Huntington's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Orphan Drug Designation for its proprietary cannabinoid formulation. A secure, DEA-inspected Schedule I analytical lab. A state-of-the-art cultivation facility built to DEA specifications. And yet, the DEA has refused for seven years to issue a Schedule I bulk manufacturing registration. Why? Not because of safety concerns. Not because of noncompliance. But because-unlike Curaleaf, Cookies, and other recreational giants-MMJ isn't playing the political lobbying game or hiding behind state loopholes. MMJ is doing it the right way, and that seems to be precisely the problem. While cartels and corporate exporters freely move THC products overseas through "strategic partnerships" and shadowy legal gymnastics, MMJ is being crushed under the weight of federal inaction. The DEA has even subjected them to a constitutionally defective administrative hearing-overseen by an ALJ whose very authority the DOJ has now disavowed. DEA: Champion of Pseudoscience and Policy Hypocrisy Let's talk about the DEA's latest intellectual triumphs: Comparing cannabis to methamphetamine with no clinical basis. Telling teens to skip weed and chase Instagram fame instead. Distributing memes claiming cannabis lowers sperm count by 50%, despite contradictory evidence. Encouraging students to flood Instagram with "Anti-420" videos, weaponizing youth ignorance as public policy. Meanwhile, the DEA continues to ignore the 2023 HHS recommendation to reschedule cannabis, based on real, peer-reviewed, FDA-analyzed scientific data. You cannot claim to care about psychosis while blocking the very clinical trials designed to test safety, efficacy, and neurological effects. That's not science. That's obstruction. Terrance Cole's Choice: Lead or Rubber Stamp the Marijuana Rot Now all eyes turn to DEA Administrator-nominee Terrance Cole. Thus far, his public statements have been evasive, his confirmation answers noncommittal, and his track record steeped in anti-cannabis fearmongering. If Cole refuses to address the unconstitutional DEA tribunals, if he refuses to approve MMJ's license after seven years of federal compliance, if he continues parroting outdated "gateway drug" nonsense-then the agency's credibility, already on life support, will collapse entirely. End the Madness. Let Science Lead. The DEA's current posture is untenable. It is promoting misinformation, blocking research, and enabling a regulatory regime that favors corporate exports and illicit markets while punishing pharmaceutical innovators. MMJ BioPharma has done everything right. The DEA has done everything wrong. It's time to stop the clown show, shut down the pseudoscience, and issue the damn license. MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT:Madison HiseyMHisey@ SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
DEA Defies Supreme Court and Attorney General, Targeting Marijuana Compliant Pharmaceutical Research While Cartels Operate Unchecked
'The irony is glaring,' said Boise. 'The DEA blocks lawful drug development while cartels profit. The agency is both gatekeeper and roadblock-and now, a constitutional liability.' The DEA's own 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment admits that illicit cannabis operations tied to foreign cartels thrive in legalized states, operating under state licenses while DEA policy bureaucrats Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait remains unchecked. WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / May 23, 2025 / In a brazen act of regulatory defiance, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reignited its unlawful campaign against MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, a federally compliant cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical company. This comes in direct contradiction to a Supreme Court ruling, the stance of the Department of Justice (DOJ), and overwhelming public support for medical cannabis reform. On May 19, the DEA's Office of Administrative Law Judges issued an order rescheduling a prehearing conference with MMJ BioPharma for June 11, 2025. This comes despite the fact that the DOJ-through the Attorney General Pam Bondi-has formally notified federal courts that it will no longer defend the constitutionality of DEA's internal tribunal system. The DEA's administrative law courts were ruled structurally invalid by the Supreme Court for violating Article II of the Constitution. 'This is a rogue agency acting outside the law,' said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ International Holdings. 'The DEA is not just obstructing medical research-it's defying the Constitution, the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General.' DEA Crusade Against MMJ Medical Cannabis Developer MMJ BioPharma has spent more than seven years complying with every federal requirement to develop cannabinoid-based therapies for serious neurological conditions. The company holds: - Two FDA-accepted INDs - Orphan Drug Designation for Huntington's disease - A DEA-registered Schedule I Analytical Laboratory - Partnerships with GMP-certified manufacturers and international distribution networks Despite these credentials, the DEA refuses to issue a Schedule I Bulk Manufacturing License-a mandatory step to produce cannabis for FDA-approved clinical trials. Instead of resolving the matter in federal court, the agency is again using a discredited tribunal structure already struck down by the nation's highest court. The DEA's 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment confirms that transnational cartels continue operating under state cannabis licenses, exploiting regulatory gaps in legalized states. While illicit actors thrive, the agency devotes its energy to obstructing a law-abiding, federally regulated pharmaceutical innovator. 'The irony is glaring,' Boise added. 'The DEA blocks lawful drug development while criminal enterprises profit. The agency is both gatekeeper and roadblock-and now, a constitutional liability.' A Constitutional and Scientific Crisis Science Denied: - DEA disregards the 2023 HHS recommendation, based on FDA-reviewed evidence, to reclassify cannabis as Schedule III - Ignores decades of clinical data from global medical programs on epilepsy, chronic pain, and PTSD Constitutional Violations: - DEA continues using tribunals declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court - DEA operates in defiance of the Attorney General's directive that DOJ will not defend these proceedings Public Will Ignored: - 69% of 40,000+ public comments called for full descheduling - DEA continues to invoke debunked 'gateway drug' rhetoric Economic Harm: - DEA delays access to treatments for Huntington's, MS, and pain - All while the U.S. federally illegal cannabis market exceeds $32 billion annually 'The DEA is enforcing a backroom hidden anti marijuana agenda-not public safety,' said Boise. 'While cartels flourish, the agency uses taxpayer resources to sabotage federally compliant innovators and delay treatments for suffering patients. This is no longer about regulation-this is rogue retaliation.' The Path Forward: Accountability Now MMJ International Holdings calls on: - Congress to launch oversight hearings into DEA obstruction and administrative abuse - DOJ to halt all unconstitutional proceedings in accordance with the Axon ruling - DEA nominee Terrance Cole to commit to ending the agency's war on science 'The DEA's credibility is bankrupt,' Boise concluded. 'It's time for Congress to end this obstruction-patients' lives depend on it.' MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT: Madison Hisey [email protected] 203-231-8583 SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings press release
Associated Press
18-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
DEA Marijuana Hypocrisy Exposed: MMJ Legal Drug Blocked While Cartels Thrive in Marijuana Legal States
'The DEA is creating a regulatory paradox where science is stifled and illegal activity is tolerated. Thomas Prevoznik, one unelected bureaucrat should not have the power to derail federally authorized drug development,' said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ International Holdings. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / May 18, 2025 / As the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) releases its 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment, a stunning contradiction emerges: while the DEA points fingers at states that have legalized marijuana for allegedly aiding transnational cartels, it continues to obstruct MMJ International Holdings and its subsidiaries - MMJBioPharma Cultivation and MMJ BioPharma Labs from lawfully developing cannabis based pharmaceutical drugs under full federal compliance. For seven years, MMJ BioPharma has adhered strictly to federal statutes. It has received two Investigational New Drug (IND) applications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and been awarded Orphan Drug Designation for its treatment of Huntington's disease. It has passed DEA security inspections and holds a DEA Schedule I Analytical Lab Registration. Yet, the DEA refuses to grant the necessary Schedule I Bulk Manufacturing Registration required for growing pharmaceutical grade cannabis for clinical trials, stonewalling innovation and delaying potential life-saving treatments. Meanwhile, in its own report, the DEA claims that legal cannabis states are being exploited by Asian Transnational Criminal Organizations (TSOs), which operate under 'state-level business registrations' and ignore plant limits, production quotas, and licensing laws. The report claims these groups exploit inconsistencies in state regulations to shield illicit operations from federal enforcement. Yet ironically, the DEA's continued blockade against legitimate federal drug developers like MMJ BioPharma is pushing innovation and pharmaceutical investment offshore. MMJ has openly criticized the agency's delays as 'a violation of law, science, and democracy.' DEA Federal Hypocrisy on Full Display DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz, who has called cannabis a 'gateway drug,' maintains the agency's hardline stance against MMJ's drug development despite its legal compliance and scientific rigor. Meanwhile, the agency paradoxically admits that the marijuana smuggled across state lines is primarily destined for non-legal states-a tacit admission that prohibition itself sustains the illicit market. This undermines the DEA's narrative that legal states are the core problem. Instead, the report validates what advocates have long argued: that prohibition breeds black-market activity, while federal obstruction stalls medical progress. Unelected Bureaucrats Holding Back Science Thomas Prevoznik, DEA Deputy Assistant Administrator, has been directly implicated in MMJ's years-long delay. Legal filings and correspondence point to his central role in repeatedly stalling the company's application without justification. Despite the DOJ's withdrawal of support for unconstitutional ALJ procedures, DEA attorneys like Aarathi Haig continue to advance flawed legal defenses that conflict with DOJ policy and Supreme Court precedent. 'One unelected bureaucrat should not have the power to derail federally authorized drug development,' said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ International Holdings. 'The DEA is creating a regulatory paradox where science is stifled and illegal activity is tolerated.' Public Health Versus DEA Policy Posturing Patients suffering from progressive diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's continue to wait as DEA leadership prioritizes outdated drug war narratives over FDA-approved research. This obstructionism occurs while the agency allows illicit products grown in so-called 'legal' states to flood into black markets across the country. The irony is lost on no one: the DEA has become both the gatekeeper and the roadblock to cannabis reform, impeding law-abiding researchers while blaming states for consequences rooted in federal dysfunction. The Need for Congressional and Executive Action The call for reform is now urgent. Congressional oversight must investigate the DEA's Diversion Control Division, its treatment of MMJ BioPharma, and its failure to execute consistent, science-based policies. President Trump's incoming DEA nominee Terrance Cole has promised to prioritize rescheduling marijuana but has yet to provide a definitive stance. If the United States is serious about revitalizing its pharmaceutical industry and leading in medical cannabis innovation, agencies like the DEA must be held accountable. Otherwise, the message is clear: follow the law, and you'll be blocked. Break it, and you'll be blamed-but only after your profits are made. MMJ BioPharma's legal struggle represents more than one company's battle; it symbolizes a national crossroads between science and stagnation, between integrity and institutional decay. The time for excuses is over. The time for accountability is now. MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT: Madison Hisey [email protected] 203-231-85832 SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings press release
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DEA Marijuana Hypocrisy Exposed: MMJ Legal Drug Blocked While Cartels Thrive in Marijuana Legal States
"The DEA is creating a regulatory paradox where science is stifled and illegal activity is tolerated. Thomas Prevoznik, one unelected bureaucrat should not have the power to derail federally authorized drug development," said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ International Holdings. WASHINGTON, DC / / May 18, 2025 / As the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) releases its 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment, a stunning contradiction emerges: while the DEA points fingers at states that have legalized marijuana for allegedly aiding transnational cartels, it continues to obstruct MMJ International Holdings and its subsidiaries - MMJBioPharma Cultivation and MMJ BioPharma Labs from lawfully developing cannabis based pharmaceutical drugs under full federal compliance. For seven years, MMJ BioPharma has adhered strictly to federal statutes. It has received two Investigational New Drug (IND) applications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and been awarded Orphan Drug Designation for its treatment of Huntington's disease. It has passed DEA security inspections and holds a DEA Schedule I Analytical Lab Registration. Yet, the DEA refuses to grant the necessary Schedule I Bulk Manufacturing Registration required for growing pharmaceutical grade cannabis for clinical trials, stonewalling innovation and delaying potential life-saving treatments. Meanwhile, in its own report, the DEA claims that legal cannabis states are being exploited by Asian Transnational Criminal Organizations (TSOs), which operate under "state-level business registrations" and ignore plant limits, production quotas, and licensing laws. The report claims these groups exploit inconsistencies in state regulations to shield illicit operations from federal enforcement. Yet ironically, the DEA's continued blockade against legitimate federal drug developers like MMJ BioPharma is pushing innovation and pharmaceutical investment offshore. MMJ has openly criticized the agency's delays as "a violation of law, science, and democracy." DEA Federal Hypocrisy on Full Display DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz, who has called cannabis a "gateway drug," maintains the agency's hardline stance against MMJ's drug development despite its legal compliance and scientific rigor. Meanwhile, the agency paradoxically admits that the marijuana smuggled across state lines is primarily destined for non-legal states-a tacit admission that prohibition itself sustains the illicit market. This undermines the DEA's narrative that legal states are the core problem. Instead, the report validates what advocates have long argued: that prohibition breeds black-market activity, while federal obstruction stalls medical progress. Unelected Bureaucrats Holding Back Science Thomas Prevoznik, DEA Deputy Assistant Administrator, has been directly implicated in MMJ's years-long delay. Legal filings and correspondence point to his central role in repeatedly stalling the company's application without justification. Despite the DOJ's withdrawal of support for unconstitutional ALJ procedures, DEA attorneys like Aarathi Haig continue to advance flawed legal defenses that conflict with DOJ policy and Supreme Court precedent. "One unelected bureaucrat should not have the power to derail federally authorized drug development," said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ International Holdings. "The DEA is creating a regulatory paradox where science is stifled and illegal activity is tolerated." Public Health Versus DEA Policy Posturing Patients suffering from progressive diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's continue to wait as DEA leadership prioritizes outdated drug war narratives over FDA-approved research. This obstructionism occurs while the agency allows illicit products grown in so-called "legal" states to flood into black markets across the country. The irony is lost on no one: the DEA has become both the gatekeeper and the roadblock to cannabis reform, impeding law-abiding researchers while blaming states for consequences rooted in federal dysfunction. The Need for Congressional and Executive Action The call for reform is now urgent. Congressional oversight must investigate the DEA's Diversion Control Division, its treatment of MMJ BioPharma, and its failure to execute consistent, science-based policies. President Trump's incoming DEA nominee Terrance Cole has promised to prioritize rescheduling marijuana but has yet to provide a definitive stance. If the United States is serious about revitalizing its pharmaceutical industry and leading in medical cannabis innovation, agencies like the DEA must be held accountable. Otherwise, the message is clear: follow the law, and you'll be blocked. Break it, and you'll be blamed-but only after your profits are made. MMJ BioPharma's legal struggle represents more than one company's battle; it symbolizes a national crossroads between science and stagnation, between integrity and institutional decay. The time for excuses is over. The time for accountability is now. MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT:Madison HiseyMHisey@ SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
