The University of Arizona has come under the fire of medical marijuana advocates for abrupt termination of a prominent pot researcher.
Various positions Suzanne A. Sisley holds at the Tucson-based University were not renewed. Her last day at the University is on September 26.
In March, Sisley - a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry - received a rare approval from the Public Health Service to study the effects of pot on veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The professor claims that the controversial marijuana study attracted unwanted attention from legislative Republicans - who take care of the school's financial matters - that ultimately led to her firing.
"It appears this is happening because I am at forefront of the most controversial research happening at the university," Sisley said. "That's why they are throwing me under the bus," Reuters reports.
In 2010, Arizona voters authorised the use of medical marijuana for certain health conditions that does not include post-traumatic stress.
Proponents expressed outrage over the University's decision to not renew her contract.
"The university obviously doesn't want to touch this issue," said Kathy Inman, state director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. "They don't want to be publicly associated with the high-profile marijuana wave moving across the country and Arizona."
Chris Sigurdson, a university spokesman, said that the University was under no obligation to dismiss the professor. Sigurdson said that the school officials encourage research projects on medical marijuana. In 2013, UA embraced a legislative measure that permits such studies on campus, LA Times reports.
