Some Massachusetts Doctors Resign from Marijuana Companies After Visit from DEA

Some Massachusetts physicians have resigned from marijuana companies after being told by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigators they must do so or be faced with relinquishing federal licenses to prescribe certain medications, The Boston Globe reports.

The agents have visited the homes and offices of doctors involved with medical marijuana dispensaries, according to the newspaper. The doctors said they were told the DEA wants them to resign from the companies because of a conflict between federal law, which bans use of any marijuana, and Massachusetts state law, which allows use of medical marijuana.

At least three doctors were contacted by DEA investigators, the article notes, and at least two have resigned their positions with dispensaries.

“Here are your options,” Dr. Samuel Mazza said he was told by Gregory Kelly, a DEA investigator from the agency’s New England Division office. “You either give up your [DEA] license or give up your position on the board . . . or you challenge it in court.” Mazza is Chief Executive of Debilitating Medical Conditions Treatment Centers.

The DEA’s actions may delay new medical marijuana dispensaries from opening, the newspaper noted.

A measure passed by the U.S. House of Representatives recently would end federal interference in state medical marijuana laws. Under the measure, the federal government could not spend funds to stop states from implementing their own medical marijuana laws. The amendment passed as part of a bipartisan funding bill. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.