DEA marijuana rule changes could help medical research

Many doctors are worried about pursuing research into the medical benefits of marijuana because only certain patients would be legally allowed to benefit from the research results. Less than half of states allow medical marijuana usage, and many have restrictions on the types of conditions that can get prescriptions. But if the DEA were to change its rules on medical marijuana, doctor's approach could change. The Drug Enforcement Administration is currently considering whether or not to lower marijuana's drug rating, which would ease some of the restrictions on studies around its medical use. Marijuana's medical benefits could be better understood if doctors were better able to set up trials for the drug.