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UF prohibits marijuana research due to legal fears

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After seeking legal advice on whether to grow marijuana for use in medical or agricultural research, the University of Florida is steering clear of any pot-related research over concerns about its federal funding.

With Florida voting this November whether to authorize medical marijuana, the state's largest research university is deciding to forgo any work involving the plant because it is still illegal under federal law.
 
The Gainesville Sun reports that a lawyer hired by the school said federal funding would be jeopardized even if the state passed medical marijuana laws.
 
The school has issued a university-wide policy prohibiting the use of marijuana cultivation, possession, manufacturing or distribution.
 
The school has not ruled out future pot-related studies that are approved by federal agencies.