Pubdate: Sat, 28 Apr 2001
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Russell Jones, Guest Columnist

HIGH TIME MEDICAL RESEARCH DONE ON MARIJUANA

The Herald's April 16 editorial, Strange Priority, was critical of Health 
Canada for conducting research into marijuana at the expense of other drugs 
with "more promise"

I certainly support the Arthritis Society of Canada's call for approval of 
Pennsaid in an appropriate and timely fashion, assuming the research does, 
in fact, support its efficacy and lack of side effects. Doctor's 
prescription information certainly lists a wide variety of side effects for 
this drug (as do most drugs). Pennsaid's long term effects may only be 
known years from now, when it is too late to correct.

Marijuana has proven effective for 5000 years for a variety of ailments 
with no harmful side effects (unless you consider happiness and a general 
feeling of well-being to be harmful). Until cannabis was demonized 
following the repeal of alcohol prohibition, it was listed in the US 
pharmacopeia as an effective remedy for a variety of ailments. The 
"anecdotal" evidence of the efficacy of marijuana is, unfortunately, the 
only current evidence available, as no self-respecting pharmaceutical 
company would spend a dime on research of a drug which holds no financial 
incentive. How can they make money from cannabis if anyone can grow it in 
their own herb garden?

It has been left to the government, who have finally heard the cries of 
hundreds (nay, thousands) of medicinal cannabis users, to instigate this 
research on our behalf. Previous attempts by the US and other governments 
to prove that cannabis is dangerous have resulted in studies which 
ultimately show its effectiveness and safety, and have therefore been 
suppressed. The World Health Organization has produced similar studies, 
similarly suppressed. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in the US 
has consistently refused to allow researchers to receive government 
manufactured cannabis for any study whose intent is to demonstrate efficacy 
rather than harm or addiction.

Even our own government has systematically ignored the LeDain Commission 
(not a research study but a study of the uselessness of drug laws), a study 
paid for by the Trudeau government in the 1970's, which recommended that 
cannabis be removed from the schedule of controlled substances due to its 
potential medical uses and its obvious harmlessness (to individuals and to 
society).

As far as the various uses of cannabis, these go far beyond analgesic 
effects (which are obvious to anyone who has used it for this purpose). 
With over 60 different cannabinoids (molecules which are found only in the 
cannabis sativa L. plant varieties) this is one of the most misunderstood 
and under-researched medicines in the history of pharmaceutical research. 
One often ignored benefit of cannabis use is its ability to improve the 
effectiveness of NSAIDS and opiate drugs (codeine, morphine). According to 
the 1996 Parker Street Press book by author, Rowan Robinson, titled "The 
Great Book of Hemp", historically or anecdotally proven therapeutic uses of 
cannabis include treating glaucoma and breathing difficulty, to inhibit 
tumors, as an antibiotic, as an antidepressant, to control inflammation, as 
an analgesic, to treat alcoholism, to treat opiate addiction, to alleviate 
insomnia, for relief from herpes, for relief from migraine, for treatment 
of ulcer.

Beyond these basic "household remedy" uses there includes cannabis' effect 
as an anti-oxidant which would negate any negative effects of smoked 
cannabis (i.e. carbon monoxide, tars), as well as as an anti-emetic for 
chemotherapy and AIDS patients who cannot hold down the pills they are 
given to make them eat. Just because a drug is effective for 75% of 
patients does not mean that the remaining 25% should suffer in silence.

In fact, the anecdotal evidence is extensive, not "limited" as suggested by 
the Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Health of the U.S. Institute of 
Health. Much of it is supported by research done in other countries for 
many years, but is not accepted outside the country of origin (unless it 
falsely supports prohibitionist propaganda about "reefer madness"). One 
historical, anecdotal example is Queen Victoria, who used cannabis to 
relieve menstrual cramps.

It is high time (no pun intended) that our government has finally ponied up 
for some real research (belated as it may be). It makes me proud to be a 
Canadian.

It is only unfortunate that the Ministry of Health has chosen an 
inexperienced company to grow their "Med-Pot" and have limited them to a 
low-level THC content (5 percent), thus forcing participants to smoke 2-3 
times more plant matter to have the same effect of what a med-pot user can 
grow for themselves (6-15 percent THC). It is even more unfortunate that 
they have spent so little, and have developed a very long-term program (5 
years) which will keep current medical users out of the loop and waiting 
for a conclusion for a very long time.

We can only hope that the constitutional challenges to marijuana laws 
result in total legalization long before that time.

Strange priorities, indeed.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart