[Sativa]

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - A U-Mass Amherst professor waging a 6-year fight to get permission to grow marijuana for medical research is in Washington today.

Horticulturist Lyle Craker says pot is a medicinal plant that needs to be studied to learn its benefits.

He's challenging the government's monopoly on research marijuana.

A Mississippi lab is the nation's only marijuana growing facility. Craker won a nonbinding favorable ruling earlier this year from a federal administrative judge and is awaiting a decision from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Craker appeared at a news conference today with supporters outside DEA offices.

He hopes government officials understand that the pot he wants to cultivate won't be used for recreational purposes.

The professor has won support from Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry.



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Source: WPRI
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Website: UMass professor continues medical marijuana fight