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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated in an Apr. 1, 2004 testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources Committee on Government Reform by Robert J. Meyer, MD, Director of the FDA's Office of Drug Evaluation II:

“FDA has not approved marijuana for medical use in the United States. Despite its status as an unapproved new drug, there has been considerable interest in its use for the treatment of a number of conditions, including glaucoma, AIDS wasting, neuropathic pain, treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced nausea…

Having access to a drug or medical treatment, without knowing how to use it or even if it is effective, does not benefit anyone. Simply having access, without having safety, efficacy, and adequate use information does not help patients. FDA has and will continue to use its IND and other expanded access programs to provide patients freedom to choose investigational medical treatments while reasonably ensuring safety, informed choice, and systematic data collection that allows us to review drug applications.

FDA will continue to be receptive to sound, scientifically based research into the medicinal uses of botanical marijuana and other cannabinoids.”

Apr. 1, 2004