Drug expert to discuss recent policy shift in medical marijuana at 2009 Symposium

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy(R) (NABP(R)) welcomes Office of National Drug Control Policy drug policy expert Kevin Sebat to speak at its 2009 Symposium. On December 3, 2009, Sebat will discuss the current federal laws regarding marijuana as well as the recent policy shift regarding prosecution of medical marijuana cases in states that have legalized the practice. Symposium participants will learn how marijuana became a Schedule I controlled substance and the future of this status in light of recent policy shifts.

The October 19 Department of Justice memo calls for a focus on prosecution of significant traffickers of illegal drugs and the disruption of illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking networks, rather than pursuing individuals whose actions comply with existing state and local laws providing for the medical use of marijuana. Currently, 14 states allow for the sale and use of medical marijuana including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. (To view the Department of Justice memo visit http://blogs.usdoj.gov/blog/archives/192.)

This action represents a shift in drug prosecution policy to ensure the effective use of prosecutor and investigator resources; however, the Department of Justice memo states that it does not change the Controlled Substances Act which categorizes marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance. Some advocates of medical marijuana see the move as a harbinger of the federal government recognizing the medicinal properties of marijuana.

During the NABP Symposium, board of pharmacy members and other pharmacy stakeholders will spend a full day discussing the science behind medical marijuana, state regulations addressing its use, and the social and financial impact of the substance. Also discussed will be Canada's experience with national legalization of medical marijuana. Additionally, a panel of experts on both the pro and con sides will debate the issue of legalization.

The NABP Symposium will be held December 3-4, 2009, at the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Hotel in Tucson, AZ. Educational sessions held on December 4 will cover public-private partnership opportunities for boards of pharmacy.

For a full description of the continuing pharmacy education sessions or to register for the 2009 Symposium, visit the Meetings section of the NABP Web site at http://www.nabp.net.