Ecstatic Science

The Boston Globe reports on one of the proposed legal studies into possible therapeutic benefits of MDMA, ecstasy to the kids--this one conducted by Harvard medicos on 12 terminal cancer patients, and bankrolled by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). This particular experiment--which hopes to "avoid sedating people, to allow them to maintain a good quality of life so they can enjoy the time they have with family and friends," says one of the docs involved--is still awaiting the necessary Drug Enforcement Administration approval. (I hope it makes you all feel safe to know that doctors and scientists require the approval of federal drug cops to do their work.)

[Link via Rational Review.]

Comments

[Lowdog]

It's because some liberal, dope-smoking, hippie doctor might use children to experiment on.

Me, I like to use young girls to conduct my MDMA experiments with, I mean on, I mean...aw shit, I guess I'm caught! 😉

[dhex]

''Perceptions of risk are a powerful determiner of young people using illegal drugs," he added.

there's much to say about this and drug policy in america in general, but at a certain point all you can do is shrug.

[Pavel]

The thing that makes schedule I drugs most difficult to legalize is the overlap in government agency control. The FDA has been mostly cooperative with MAPS. The DEA and NIDA have not. Even when they go so far as to provide a controlled substance for use in testing (they usually insist on being the only legitimate source), it's of poor quality.

I imagine if one tried to test marijuana's effects on animals, the ATF would step in and claim jurisdiction because you're trying to shotgun the cat.

[David]

I don't understand why the DEA gets a say at all. They should only handle enforcement. They are not a legislative body.

[SixSigma]

But Murray, of the White House drug office, said the publicity around the experiment could increase ''the rationalization of young people who can say, 'This can't be dangerous because Harvard doctors give it out.' "

Wow! Talk about rationalization. Wouldn't this mean that any drugs that have bad side effects should never be perscribed, tested, used, or even thought about?

Not to mention the arrogance of the statement. He, of course understands, but if kids knew how often morphine is given for pain like after seriuos car accidents, they can't possibly understand it.

[slotbath]

I've heard they're also thinking about using MDMA on returning soldiers to help them adjust to civilian life.
Obviously, this drug can be helpful...but I'm preaching to the converted here.....