Besides the FDA being hypocritical, I also think they're doing this now to make it more difficult to legalize medical marijuana. For example, they could say "We approved Cesamet, so there's no need for further cannabis research." I don't think that tactic will work because real cannabis is more potent than the synthetic version and it can treat a wider variety of ailments, but it's something to think about.

That was my first thought when I heard the story, but then I was thinking this is a step in the right direction. At least some of those patients can now get treatment without breaking the law, and that's the whole purpose in getting medical marijuana legalized. Also, this story will just bring the cannabis issue in general back into the media - any publicity is good publicity.