2014 ASHS Annual Conference

While the classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug has inhibited any horticultural or medicinal research for the past several years, recent acceptance by state laws may offer some opportunities to investigate horticultural practices.  The ability of federal law enforcement to override state laws, however, places state universities and research centers under severe restrictions with the threat of cancelling all federal grants if federal law is violated.  While the illegal production of marijuana plants has produced a number of cultivars and production techniques, scientific evidence is lacking.  The failure to classify plant types according to cannabinoid levels and types may limit the ability of medical personnel to prescribe the most effective plant material and the correct dose. Thus, the question on whether cannabis can effectively treat human ailments remains unanswered.