The University of Arizona fired Assistant Professor Sue Sisley before she could start her research on the possible beneficial effects marijuana can have for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. Brad Poole, new Medical MJ columnist, covered the unfortunate news in this week’s print edition.

But her firing (her contract is up this fall) would not be a death knell for cannabis research—even hers. Sisley's study will likely live on, if not at UA then elsewhere through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.

MAPS is a California nonprofit organization at the forefront of marijuana research, or at least behind it pushing fervently. MAPS is the sponsoring organization behind Sisley's PTSD study. Despite her setback, cannabis research is on the rise, said Brad Burge, MAPS communications director.

Al Jazeera America sent The Range an interview that its reporter Jake Ward conducted with Professor Sisley when she received the initial government approval.

“The problem is the word “marijuana” is so politically radioactive that I think that university administration are concerned about how they manage this plus the public relations nightmare of trying to persuade our lawmakers that this is not becoming any kind of drug den here.”

Al Jazeera shared photos of the possible research facility. The building looks like it’s located in an alleyway, and the interior seems like an abandoned storage space. The UA has yet to give an explanation as to why they fired professor Sisley.