It's about time. A researcher at the University of Massachussetts goes to court today to challenge the federal government's monopoly on growing marijuana for research purposes.

In a hearing due to start today before an administrative law judge at the Drug Enforcement Administration, professor Lyle Craker and his supporters will argue for a DEA license to grow the research drugs. It is the climax of a decades-long effort to expand research into marijuana and controlled drugs and of Craker's almost five-year effort to become a competing marijuana grower.

Professor Lyle Cacker is a University researcher of the medicinal properties of plants. Research has long been allowed on controlled substances, just not pot. For 36 years, the feds have not allowed anyone outside the University of Mississippi, with whom it has a contract, to conduct research on marijuana, fearing it would result in increased illegal use.

Cacker says the pot grown by the feds is of such low quality and purity it would make a lousy medecine even if the Government did approve its use in the future. Meanwhile, there are a lot of sick folks who could be helped by the substance.