Latest news with #TerranceCole
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
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
DEA's Internal Marijuana Resistance: MMJ BioPharma Delays Reflect a Wider Cannabis Rescheduling Crisis
As Former White House Drug Czar Rahul Gupta revealed DEA intentional sabotage, will DEA Administrator Nominee Terrance Cole Address the Marijuana Crisis? Bureaucratic Inaction and Medical Delays Demand Accountability. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / May 25, 2025 / When former White House Drug Czar Rahul Gupta revealed that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had intentionally delayed marijuana rescheduling from within its own ranks, it sent shockwaves through the cannabis policy world. For MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, the federally compliant pharmaceutical company developing cannabinoid-based treatments for Huntington's disease and Multiple Sclerosis, this revelation merely confirms what they have endured for years: bureaucratic sabotage from inside the DEA. The similarities between MMJ's stalled license application and the national rescheduling impasse are too glaring to ignore. Both involve DEA officials subverting legal processes, ignoring scientific consensus, and acting contrary to Department of Justice (DOJ) directives. And in both cases, the ultimate cost is borne by suffering patients and U.S. scientific progress. MMJ's Seven-Year Delay: Compliance Met with Contempt MMJ BioPharma Cultivation has followed every federal rule: Yet the DEA has refused to issue a Schedule I Bulk Manufacturing License necessary to grow cannabis for clinical trials. The agency's inaction has persisted for over seven years, despite multiple inspections and full compliance. The delay isn't based on science. It isn't based on law. It's based on unaccountable bureaucrats like DEA Deputy Assistant Administrator Thomas Prevoznik and marijuana policy administrator Matthew Strait, who wield unchecked power behind closed doors. Echoes of the Rescheduling Crisis Gupta's recent statement to The New York Times revealed that the DEA's internal resistance to rescheduling cannabis had torpedoed the Biden administration's efforts. Despite HHS and FDA recommendations, and Attorney General Merrick Garland's approval, DEA leadership stalled the process and raised suspect questions about the medical value of cannabis-a move critics call 'rigged.' Sound familiar? That's precisely what MMJ BioPharma Cultivation has alleged in court: that DEA officials have subverted the Controlled Substances Act and DOJ policies, intentionally obstructing the lawful drug development process. Constitutional Violations, Ignored Directives The Supreme Court's Axon ruling declared the DEA's Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) system unconstitutional. In line with this, DOJ formally informed courts it would no longer defend those ALJ tribunals. Yet MMJ's case was just sent back into that exact invalid hearing structure, scheduled for June 11, 2025. This isn't mere delay. It's institutional defiance of the rule of law. The Real Victims: Patients and Science While DEA officials delay and deflect, patients with progressive neurological disorders continue to suffer. MMJ's therapies could offer relief, but the agency that should be enabling scientific advancement has instead become its greatest obstacle. Meanwhile, as DEA devotes resources to sabotaging federally compliant companies, it admits in its own 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment that cartel-backed operations are thriving in legalized states, exploiting weak oversight. 'The irony is glaring,' said MMJ CEO Duane Boise. 'The DEA blocks lawful drug development while cartels profit. The agency is both gatekeeper and roadblock-and now, a constitutional liability.' Time for Accountability MMJ BioPharma is calling on: 'This is no longer about science or safety,' Boise concluded. 'This is about entrenched power, defiance of the law, and a complete abandonment of the public interest. Congress must act now.' MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT: Madison Hisey [email protected] 203-231-85832 SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings press release
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DEA's Internal Marijuana Resistance: MMJ BioPharma Delays Reflect a Wider Cannabis Rescheduling Crisis
As Former White House Drug Czar Rahul Gupta revealed DEA intentional sabotage, will DEA Administrator Nominee Terrance Cole Address the Marijuana Crisis? Bureaucratic Inaction and Medical Delays Demand Accountability. WASHINGTON, DC / / May 25, 2025 / When former White House Drug Czar Rahul Gupta revealed that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had intentionally delayed marijuana rescheduling from within its own ranks, it sent shockwaves through the cannabis policy world. For MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, the federally compliant pharmaceutical company developing cannabinoid-based treatments for Huntington's disease and Multiple Sclerosis, this revelation merely confirms what they have endured for years: bureaucratic sabotage from inside the DEA. The similarities between MMJ's stalled license application and the national rescheduling impasse are too glaring to ignore. Both involve DEA officials subverting legal processes, ignoring scientific consensus, and acting contrary to Department of Justice (DOJ) directives. And in both cases, the ultimate cost is borne by suffering patients and U.S. scientific progress. MMJ's Seven-Year Delay: Compliance Met with Contempt MMJ BioPharma Cultivation has followed every federal rule: Two Investigational New Drug (IND) applications accepted by the FDA. Orphan Drug Designation granted for its proprietary cannabinoid capsule. DEA Schedule I Analytical Laboratory registration issued. Yet the DEA has refused to issue a Schedule I Bulk Manufacturing License necessary to grow cannabis for clinical trials. The agency's inaction has persisted for over seven years, despite multiple inspections and full compliance. The delay isn't based on science. It isn't based on law. It's based on unaccountable bureaucrats like DEA Deputy Assistant Administrator Thomas Prevoznik and marijuana policy administrator Matthew Strait, who wield unchecked power behind closed doors. Echoes of the Rescheduling Crisis Gupta's recent statement to The New York Times revealed that the DEA's internal resistance to rescheduling cannabis had torpedoed the Biden administration's efforts. Despite HHS and FDA recommendations, and Attorney General Merrick Garland's approval, DEA leadership stalled the process and raised suspect questions about the medical value of cannabis-a move critics call "rigged." Sound familiar? That's precisely what MMJ BioPharma Cultivation has alleged in court: that DEA officials have subverted the Controlled Substances Act and DOJ policies, intentionally obstructing the lawful drug development process. Constitutional Violations, Ignored Directives The Supreme Court's Axon ruling declared the DEA's Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) system unconstitutional. In line with this, DOJ formally informed courts it would no longer defend those ALJ tribunals. Yet MMJ's case was just sent back into that exact invalid hearing structure, scheduled for June 11, 2025. This isn't mere delay. It's institutional defiance of the rule of law. The Real Victims: Patients and Science While DEA officials delay and deflect, patients with progressive neurological disorders continue to suffer. MMJ's therapies could offer relief, but the agency that should be enabling scientific advancement has instead become its greatest obstacle. Meanwhile, as DEA devotes resources to sabotaging federally compliant companies, it admits in its own 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment that cartel-backed operations are thriving in legalized states, exploiting weak oversight. "The irony is glaring," said MMJ CEO Duane Boise. "The DEA blocks lawful drug development while cartels profit. The agency is both gatekeeper and roadblock-and now, a constitutional liability." Time for Accountability MMJ BioPharma is calling on: Congress to launch immediate oversight into DEA misconduct. DOJ to enforce its own policies and halt illegal proceedings. DEA Nominee Terrance Cole to commit to ending this sabotage and comply with judicial precedent. "This is no longer about science or safety," Boise concluded. "This is about entrenched power, defiance of the law, and a complete abandonment of the public interest. Congress must act now." MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT:Madison HiseyMHisey@ SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DEA's Internal Marijuana Resistance: MMJ BioPharma Delays Reflect a Wider Cannabis Rescheduling Crisis
As Former White House Drug Czar Rahul Gupta revealed DEA intentional sabotage, will DEA Administrator Nominee Terrance Cole Address the Marijuana Crisis? Bureaucratic Inaction and Medical Delays Demand Accountability. WASHINGTON, DC / / May 25, 2025 / When former White House Drug Czar Rahul Gupta revealed that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had intentionally delayed marijuana rescheduling from within its own ranks, it sent shockwaves through the cannabis policy world. For MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, the federally compliant pharmaceutical company developing cannabinoid-based treatments for Huntington's disease and Multiple Sclerosis, this revelation merely confirms what they have endured for years: bureaucratic sabotage from inside the DEA. The similarities between MMJ's stalled license application and the national rescheduling impasse are too glaring to ignore. Both involve DEA officials subverting legal processes, ignoring scientific consensus, and acting contrary to Department of Justice (DOJ) directives. And in both cases, the ultimate cost is borne by suffering patients and U.S. scientific progress. MMJ's Seven-Year Delay: Compliance Met with Contempt MMJ BioPharma Cultivation has followed every federal rule: Two Investigational New Drug (IND) applications accepted by the FDA. Orphan Drug Designation granted for its proprietary cannabinoid capsule. DEA Schedule I Analytical Laboratory registration issued. Yet the DEA has refused to issue a Schedule I Bulk Manufacturing License necessary to grow cannabis for clinical trials. The agency's inaction has persisted for over seven years, despite multiple inspections and full compliance. The delay isn't based on science. It isn't based on law. It's based on unaccountable bureaucrats like DEA Deputy Assistant Administrator Thomas Prevoznik and marijuana policy administrator Matthew Strait, who wield unchecked power behind closed doors. Echoes of the Rescheduling Crisis Gupta's recent statement to The New York Times revealed that the DEA's internal resistance to rescheduling cannabis had torpedoed the Biden administration's efforts. Despite HHS and FDA recommendations, and Attorney General Merrick Garland's approval, DEA leadership stalled the process and raised suspect questions about the medical value of cannabis-a move critics call "rigged." Sound familiar? That's precisely what MMJ BioPharma Cultivation has alleged in court: that DEA officials have subverted the Controlled Substances Act and DOJ policies, intentionally obstructing the lawful drug development process. Constitutional Violations, Ignored Directives The Supreme Court's Axon ruling declared the DEA's Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) system unconstitutional. In line with this, DOJ formally informed courts it would no longer defend those ALJ tribunals. Yet MMJ's case was just sent back into that exact invalid hearing structure, scheduled for June 11, 2025. This isn't mere delay. It's institutional defiance of the rule of law. The Real Victims: Patients and Science While DEA officials delay and deflect, patients with progressive neurological disorders continue to suffer. MMJ's therapies could offer relief, but the agency that should be enabling scientific advancement has instead become its greatest obstacle. Meanwhile, as DEA devotes resources to sabotaging federally compliant companies, it admits in its own 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment that cartel-backed operations are thriving in legalized states, exploiting weak oversight. "The irony is glaring," said MMJ CEO Duane Boise. "The DEA blocks lawful drug development while cartels profit. The agency is both gatekeeper and roadblock-and now, a constitutional liability." Time for Accountability MMJ BioPharma is calling on: Congress to launch immediate oversight into DEA misconduct. DOJ to enforce its own policies and halt illegal proceedings. DEA Nominee Terrance Cole to commit to ending this sabotage and comply with judicial precedent. "This is no longer about science or safety," Boise concluded. "This is about entrenched power, defiance of the law, and a complete abandonment of the public interest. Congress must act now." MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT:Madison HiseyMHisey@ SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
