“What I’m contending is the private donors have already paid into a fund to support research,” Sisley said. “We just need to have the opportunity to access it.”

The 2010 voter-approved law allows those with certain medical conditions and a doctor’s permission to obtain up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana every two weeks.

But the approved list does not include PTSD. And state Health Director Will Humble cannot add it absent some peer-reviewed research showing the drug would be effective.

Sisley hopes to provide that research.

Even with HHS approval, she still needs a go-ahead from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration before being able to get the drugs for research.

But she also needs a source of funds.

HB2333 would allow Humble to award funds for any university-sponsored research on the safety, efficacy and adverse effects of the drug.

It also would allow him to contract with local health departments and others for programs “for preventing and reducing marijuana use among persons who are under 24 years of age.” But both Yee and Polk say that language is insufficient to ensure there will be an adequate anti-marijuana message.