DEA may finally be making a move on authorizing more marijuana growers

The DEA yesterday pledged to process more applications from entities hoping to manufacture marijuana for research purposes. As researchers attempt to garner more information about marijuana's medical value, they've long complained that there's too little legal supply intended for study. Last year, the DEA nonetheless stopped accepting new applications from prospective growers. Scientists still shouldn't hold their breath — the agency says it "intends to propose new regulations" before approving any of the pending applications, leaving unclear the timetable for getting more marijuana into researchers' hands. Growers did gain some good news: Hemp, or marijuana plant material that has only small amounts of psychoactive chemicals, will no longer require a DEA license to research.