Latest news with #ThomasPrevoznik
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Are DEA's Prevoznik and Strait Lecturing the World on Drug Policy While Undermining U.S. Marijuana Law?
The appearance of Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait as thought leaders in global drug policy is more than just tone-deaf-it's dangerous. It validates a failed regulatory approach that punishes innovation, undermines public health, and sidelines scientific progress for political convenience WASHINGTON, DC / / May 20, 2025 / The irony is hard to ignore: two of the most controversial figures within the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Diversion Control Division-Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait-recently took the global stage in Dubai to lecture international law enforcement professionals about drug policy. Thomas Prevoznik, the Division's Assistant Administrator, and Matthew Strait, his Deputy and marijuana policy architects, spoke at the World Police Summit-an event attended by more than 20,000 law enforcement officials from across the globe. Yet back home, these very officials are under growing scrutiny for their alleged role in obstructing legitimate pharmaceutical marijuana research in the United States, particularly in the case of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation. A Case of DEA Hypocrisy For years, Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait have been central figures in the DEA's inexplicable delays of MARIJUANA research applications for pharmaceutical cannabis-applications that are federally lawful, publicly supported, and medically urgent. MMJ International Holdings, a company with two FDA-approved Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, has been waiting over seven years for DEA approval to grow pharmaceutical-grade cannabis. These delays, directed under the authority of Prevoznik and Strait, contradict both the Controlled Substances Act and the DEA's own Diversion Personnel Manual, which prioritizes "expeditious processing" of research-based cannabis applications. So, what business do these officials have lecturing the world on drug enforcement ethics and best practices? Making Up the Rules As They Go Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait have been accused of applying inconsistent standards, misinterpreting regulatory requirements, and essentially rewriting the law as they see fit, depending on who's applying. Rather than following a transparent, science-based process, the two have allegedly engineered a system of selective obstruction-denying or slow-walking cannabis research while using DEA bureaucracy as a shield. It's this brand of regulatory manipulation that the U.S. Supreme Court has recently begun to address, ruling against unchecked agency tribunals and calling into question the DEA's internal adjudication system. Exporting Failure By taking the stage at the World Police Summit, Prevoznik and Strait weren't just presenting policy-they were exporting DEA dysfunction. Their keynote focused on lessons learned from the U.S. opioid crisis, yet the DEA's own failures in curbing opioid abuse-while simultaneously blocking alternatives like cannabinoid-based therapies-paint a picture of regulatory incompetence, not leadership. If anything, this international platform reveals a global public relations campaign designed to preserve the DEA's image abroad while deflecting mounting criticism at home. But reputations aren't built on speeches-they're built on accountability, transparency, and outcomes. DEA: A Dangerous Policy Precedent The appearance of Prevoznik and Strait as thought leaders in global drug policy is more than just tone-deaf-it's dangerous. It validates a failed regulatory approach that punishes innovation, undermines public health, and sidelines scientific progress for political convenience. Before preaching reform to the world, these DEA officials should first be held to account for what they've failed to do right here in the United States. The real summit isn't in Dubai-it's in the courtrooms, laboratories, and hospitals where patients are still waiting for life-saving therapies that the DEA has unjustly delayed. 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
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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. / / 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 DeveloperMMJ 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 HiseyMHisey@ SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DEA Thomas Prevoznik Unchecked Authority Obstructing FDA Authorized Marijuana Drug Development
Should one unelected bureaucrat, Deputy Assistant Administrator Thomas Prevoznik, possess the unchecked authority to obstruct FDA authorized drug development and derail critical scientific breakthroughs in the United States just because they are utilizing extract from the marijuana plant? The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. WASHINGTON, DC / / May 9, 2025 / At the heart of the marijuana growing controversy surrounding the DEA lies a critical question: Should one unelected bureaucrat - Deputy Assistant Administrator Thomas Prevoznik - possess the unchecked authority to derail critical scientific breakthroughs in the United States? For seven years, Prevoznik has been responsible in stalling MMJ BioPharma Cultivation's FDA sanctioned efforts to develop cannabis-based pharmaceuticals for diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's. This is no longer a bureaucratic delay, it's a national crisis. As patients continue to suffer, and innovation is driven offshore, the burden now falls on both the current administration and the American public to demand accountability and restore integrity to our drug approval system. MMJ BioPharma Cultivation: Compliant, Qualified, and Stonewalled MMJ BioPharma Cultivation and its affiliated labs have fully complied with the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), following every legal and scientific protocol required to secure a DEA Schedule I Bulk Manufacturer Registration. The company already holds a Schedule I DEA Analytical Lab Registration, a designation that confirms it meets the DEA's highest security, recordkeeping, and compliance standards. MMJ has also secured two Investigational New Drug (IND) applications from the FDA for its cannabis-derived treatments for Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's disease, as well as Orphan Drug Designation for its Huntington's treatment. Despite these credentials, MMJ has been mired in a seven-year delay, with no clear directive or justification from the DEA. The Drug Enforcement's refusal to issue the final cultivation license, while continuing to recognize MMJ's authority to test the same Schedule I substances, exemplifies bureaucratic hypocrisy. DEA Thomas Prevoznik's Obstruction: A Pattern of Delay According to legal filings and internal records, Thomas Prevoznik has played a central role in the obstruction of MMJ's application. His name repeatedly appears in correspondence and administrative decisions that have stalled progress without scientific or legal merit. Critics argue that Prevoznik's actions have crossed the line from cautious regulation into deliberate sabotage of a lawful, FDA-supervised drug development program. These delays have real-world consequences. For patients suffering from progressive, debilitating diseases, time is not a luxury. Every day that MMJ is prevented from cultivating research-grade cannabis is another day patients are denied access to treatments that could alleviate suffering or slow disease progression. MMJ Follows Federal Law Unlike other conflicts involving state-level cannabis legalization, MMJ's case is squarely within federal jurisdiction. The company has not asked the DEA to bend state-federal boundaries; it has instead followed the Schedule I regulatory pathway exactly as prescribed under federal law. Its facilities are DEA-inspected. Its research is FDA-approved. Its requests are rooted in the very statutes Congress enacted to enable safe, controlled scientific exploration of Schedule I substances. Administrative Law Breakdown: Trump DOJ Withdraws Defense, DEA Pushes Forward In a further twist, the Department of Justice has officially withdrawn its defense of the DEA's current administrative hearing framework for ALJs (Administrative Law Judges), citing constitutional concerns. Yet the DEA, under Thomas Prevoznik's guidance, continues to push forward with administrative proceedings that now lack legal grounding. This divergence between DOJ policy and DEA action reflects a troubling autonomy within the agency, where unelected officials appear to defy executive direction and judicial precedent. It raises the specter of a "deep state" dynamic, in which entrenched bureaucrats override the public interest and the democratic process. Patients Left Behind: The Human Cost The consequences of DEA obstruction are not theoretical. They are borne by patients-Americans-who live with daily suffering from conditions like Huntington's and MS. These are not recreational users or political activists. They are mothers, fathers, veterans, and children looking for relief, for hope, for life-saving science to move forward. Call to Action: Restore Congressional Oversight, Restore Medical Progress Congress, the White House, and the American public must now confront this crisis. Immediate steps include: Congressional hearings to investigate misconduct and delay within the DEA's Diversion Control Division Judicial enforcement of existing law, compelling the DEA to act on legitimate applications Suspension of administrative proceedings found to violate constitutional standards Accountability for individuals, like Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait whose continued obstruction undermines public trust and patient health America cannot afford to let life-saving pharmaceutical innovation be held hostage by bureaucratic inertia. MMJ's case is a litmus test for whether the United States is serious about drug development, regulatory fairness, and scientific progress. The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. 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
20-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
DEA MARIJUANA SCAM: As DEA Cannabis Program Implodes This 4/20, MMJ Stands Alone in Pursuit of Real Medicine
MMJ's DEA lawsuit continues moving through the federal courts. The 8 organizations who have been issued DEA federal cannabis registrations since 2021, all are incapable of growing pharmaceutical-grade marijuana and 7 are now either inactive or bankrupt. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / April 20, 2025 / As the nation marks April 20 or '4/20,' the unofficial cannabis holiday long associated with marijuana reform, cultural awareness, and patient advocacy, new revelations expose a scandal at the heart of America's DEA federal cannabis research policy. The 8 companies granted marijuana registrations by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) since 2021, the only one, MMJ BioPharma Cultivation is actively pursuing FDA-compliant, pharmaceutical-grade marijuana development. The others are either inactive, bankrupt or never began cultivation at all. Despite being the only registrant aligned with federal pharmaceutical drug development standards, MMJ BioPharma's application has been delayed since 2018 - a staggering violation of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (MCREA), which requires the DEA to act within 60 days. 'This is not a backlog - this is a blockade. The DEA's inaction has destroyed scientific opportunities and patient hope. Seven years is not a delay - it's deliberate DEA obstruction' said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation. 4/20: From Celebration to DEA Epitome Of Ineptitude April 20 has long been a symbol of cannabis progress and patient empowerment. But in 2025, it also marks the failure of America's regulatory framework due to bureaucrats at the DEA that have not delivered. Meet Thomas Prevoznik, Deputy Administrator, Matthew Strait, Deputy Administrator Policy and Aarathi Haig, DEA attorney now under investigation for ethical violations. While the DEA continues to posture about promoting research, the facts tell a different story: MMJ BioPharma Cultivation: Still Waiting While Others Vanish MMJ BioPharma is the only registrant to: Despite these accomplishments, the DEA has yet to issue MMJ's bulk manufacturing registration. DEA's Marijuana Research Program: A Roster of Failure Calls for Action on 4/20 In light of the program's implosion, MMJ BioPharma and patient advocates are calling for: 'On this 4/20, Americans should not be celebrating cannabis reform - they should be demanding accountability, Boise added. 'The DEA's marijuana program isn't just broken. It's a scam - and suffering patients are paying the price.' MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT: Madison Hisey [email protected] 203-231-8583 SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings press release
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DEA MARIJUANA SCAM: As DEA Cannabis Program Implodes This 4/20, MMJ Stands Alone in Pursuit of Real Medicine
MMJ's DEA lawsuit continues moving through the federal courts. The 8 organizations who have been issued DEA federal cannabis registrations since 2021, all are incapable of growing pharmaceutical-grade marijuana and 7 are now either inactive or bankrupt. WASHINGTON, DC / / April 20, 2025 / As the nation marks April 20 or "4/20," the unofficial cannabis holiday long associated with marijuana reform, cultural awareness, and patient advocacy, new revelations expose a scandal at the heart of America's DEA federal cannabis research policy. The 8 companies granted marijuana registrations by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) since 2021, the only one, MMJ BioPharma Cultivation is actively pursuing FDA-compliant, pharmaceutical-grade marijuana development. The others are either inactive, bankrupt or never began cultivation at all. Despite being the only registrant aligned with federal pharmaceutical drug development standards, MMJ BioPharma's application has been delayed since 2018 - a staggering violation of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (MCREA), which requires the DEA to act within 60 days. "This is not a backlog - this is a blockade. The DEA's inaction has destroyed scientific opportunities and patient hope. Seven years is not a delay - it's deliberate DEA obstruction" said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation. 4/20: From Celebration to DEA Epitome Of Ineptitude April 20 has long been a symbol of cannabis progress and patient empowerment. But in 2025, it also marks the failure of America's regulatory framework due to bureaucrats at the DEA that have not delivered. Meet Thomas Prevoznik, Deputy Administrator, Matthew Strait, Deputy Administrator Policy and Aarathi Haig, DEA attorney now under investigation for ethical violations. While the DEA continues to posture about promoting research, the facts tell a different story: 7 of 8 registrants are non-operational or irrelevant to medical science The only viable pharmaceutical applicant MMJ remains blocked MCREA's 60-day deadline has been ignored for over 2,300 days MMJ BioPharma Cultivation: Still Waiting While Others Vanish MMJ BioPharma is the only registrant to: Submit FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) applications Receive FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Huntington's Disease Develop a THC/CBD softgel for Huntington's Disease and MS Build a federally compliant cultivation facility Complete and pass DEA pre-registration inspections DEA Issued Schedule 1 registration to MMJ Labs Despite these accomplishments, the DEA has yet to issue MMJ's bulk manufacturing registration. DEA's Marijuana Research Program: A Roster of Failure Company Status Notes MMJ BioPharma Cultivation ✅ Active Still waiting for DEA to issue registration; only company pursuing FDA clinical trials with softgel capsule Maridose (Maine) ❌ Inactive Not growing, only 1,100 sq ft of space Scottsdale Research Institute ❌ Inactive No marijuana being cultivated Bright Green Corp ❌Surrendered Never grew; relinquished registration Royal Emerald Pharmaceuticals ❌ Inactive Rumored bankruptcy Groff NA Hemplex ❌ Inactive Ceased operations University of Mississippi ⚠️ Poor Quality Substandard marijuana, decades-old monopoly BRC (Biopharmaceutical Research Co.) ⚠️ Limited Activity Growing a small number of plants, not FDA-focused Irvine Labs ⚠️ Limited Activity Minimal cultivation, no pharmaceutical output Calls for Action on 4/20 In light of the program's implosion, MMJ BioPharma and patient advocates are calling for: Immediate approval of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation's stalled application A DOJ Office of Inspector General investigation Full congressional oversight hearings A formal audit of all DEA marijuana registrants since 2021 "On this 4/20, Americans should not be celebrating cannabis reform - they should be demanding accountability, Boise added. "The DEA's marijuana program isn't just broken. It's a scam - and suffering patients are paying the price." MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT:Madison Hiseymhisey@ SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings Related Documents: Image 4-18-25 at 11.00 AM View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
