[PRESS RELEASE] – WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2025 – MMJ International Holdings, recognized for its pioneering efforts in marijuana-derived pharmaceuticals, has made significant headway with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in developing treatments for Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
However, the company’s progress faces substantial roadblocks due to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) persistent delays in processing its API BULK MANUFACTURING application to cultivate pharmaceutical marijuana, creating a stark contrast between the cooperation received from the FDA and the obstacles imposed by the DEA.
Meet Matthew J. Strait
Matthew J. Strait, a senior policy adviser at the DEA’s Diversion Control Division, finds himself at the center of controversy due to his alleged defiance of two significant presidential actions: President Donald Trump’s Right to Try law and former President Joe Biden’s initiatives to enhance marijuana research. This news release explores the implications of Strait’s actions, which appear to contradict federal efforts intended to advance medical treatment accessibility and cannabis research.
Biden’s Push for Enhanced Marijuana Research
Under the Biden administration, there has been a clear mandate to support and expand cannabis research, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of marijuana’s potential medical benefits. However, reports suggest that Matthew J. Strait has been a bottleneck in this progression, particularly impacting MMJ International Holdings’ efforts to obtain necessary registrations for cannabis cultivation for research purposes. This has effectively stalled the company’s ability to proceed with clinical trials, which is critical for advancing pharmaceutical applications of cannabis drug development.
Trump’s Right to Try Initiative
Enacted in 2018, the Right to Try law was designed to allow terminally ill patients expedited access to experimental treatments that have not yet received FDA approval. This legislation aimed to bypass the lengthy and cumbersome FDA approval processes, granting hope and potential life-saving treatments to those with no other options. Despite the law’s intent to cut red tape, Strait’s adherence to interpreted DEA protocols has reportedly obstructed the pathway for many companies like MMJ International Holdings, which is working to develop cannabis-based treatments for conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease.
Allegations of DEA Undermining Pharmaceutical Development
Strait’s actions have been criticized not only for stalling the regulatory approval processes but also for being at odds with the DEA’s mission to facilitate the development of medications that can aid patients in need. The delay in processing registrations for MMJ International Holdings has raised significant concerns about the DEA’s alignment with contemporary medical and scientific standards, as well as federal policy directions.
DEA Ethical and Policy Implications
The ongoing situation raises profound ethical and policy questions about the DEA’s commitment to public health. Critics argue that Strait’s behavior exemplifies a broader institutional resistance within the DEA against embracing progressive cannabis policies and pharmaceutical innovations, even when legislative and executive mandates support such measures.
The Urgent Need for DEA Reform
The defiance by Strait regarding Trump’s Right to Try and Biden’s marijuana research initiatives reflects a critical need for reform within the DEA. As the medical community and numerous stakeholders push for the development of cannabis-based pharmaceuticals, the DEA’s internal policies and leadership actions must evolve to support, rather than hinder, these advancements. With the potential reshuffling under Schedule F, there is hope for new leadership that prioritizes patient care and scientific progress over outdated resistance. The future of cannabis research and the right to experimental treatment hinge on a government that aligns its operations with its stated missions and current public health priorities.
Attorney Megan Sheehan of Rhode Island represents MMJ.
DEA Senior Policy Adviser Matthew Strait defied presidential mandates for medical research, MMJ International Holdings claims. Read More
