Our View

Our View

Do we really need to spend millions on pot research?

Now, here is a question every conservative Arkansans should ask themselves. With public funds for education such a concern and state colleges and universities raising tuition rates to cover costs, what logic is there in spending $2.7 million to study synthetic marijuana?

Sure, there is a school of thought among some people who may drum up reasons to justify what others view this as ridiculous, unnecessary and even a total waste of public grant funds.

Nevertheless, the educated elitists have deemed the $2.7 million study will go toward the first comprehensive study of the dangers of using synthetic marijuana, man-made cannabinoids that emulate the effects of marijuana.

We’re told synthetic cannabinoids are psychoactive chemicals that are typically sprayed on plants and cut to look like marijuana. Commonly known as “Spice,” “K2” and “bath salts,” they are also sold as powders, tablets and capsules.

Back in 2011 there was a year long trial on this subject which led to the development of a clinical test to measure the amount of synthetic compounds in a human body. We wonder who the guinea pigs were in that study.

The principal investigator in the study at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences says the goal of this five-year study is to provide inquisitive Arkansans as well as the so-called scientific community definitive information that these compounds are not an alternate form of marijuana that’s safe. You think it takes $2.7 million and five long years to determine that sucking up toxic fumes or sniffing synthetic powder up your nose to determine if it is safe or not. Come on!

To justify the expenditure, these educated gurus say the results will give federal and state agencies grounds to regulate this synthetic garbage.

Oh, but wait, Arkansas lawmakers have already added this synthetic marijuana to the state’s controlled-substances list, which leads us to logically ask why then is it necessary to spend $2.7 million on another study?

Well, the seven-member interdisciplinary team says the $2.7 million study will show the adverse effects of synthetic cannabinoids and confirm to Arkansans that the compounds are not safe and legal alternatives to marijuana, which too is an illegal drug.

To further justify this study, proponents say the results can tell people in the emergency room what sick drug users are toking up on or sniffing up their noses.

Don’t get us wrong, authorities and medical experts certainly need to know all they can about the adverse effects of illegal drug use as a means to come up with ways to treat them. But, by the same token, we would think there are plenty of pot users stumbling around who would be willing volunteers to be studied without costing $2.7 million.

On the other hand, we understand these scholarly professors and educators serving on this study group require financial compensation. And, we’re sure there will be plenty of this $2.7 million spent on computers and other materials deemed necessary for full evaluation.

After all, we’re sure there are plenty of illegal drug users out there in possession of this fake pot who will require some form of free government treatment.