The Trump administration, however, has resisted policy changes.
Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration had been gearing up to allow facilities other than the University of Mississippi to grow pot for research. But after the DEA received 26 applications from other growers, Attorney General Jeff Sessions halted the initiative.
The Department of Veterans Affairs also recently announced it would not fund studies of using marijuana compounds to treat ailments such as pain.
The DEA and HHS have cited concerns about medical supervision, addiction, and a lack of “well-controlled studies proving efficacy.”
Patients, meanwhile, forge ahead.
While experts say they don’t know exactly how many older Americans rely on marijuana for medicinal purposes, the number of Americans aged 65 years and older who say they are using the drug skyrocketed 250% from 2006 to 2013.
Some patients turn to friends, patient advocacy groups, or online support groups for information.