Pubdate: Sun, 25 May 2003
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495

POT SHOT AT TREATING A RANGE OF ILLNESSES

Cannabis, Dope, Pot, Hooch, Reefer Madness - is Marijuana Set to Be the 
Aspirin of the 21st Century?

NSW Premier Bob Carr's recent announcement of a four-year medical trial of 
cannabis, a first for Australia, attracted immediate controversy, with 
tabloid headlines calling the plan Plain Dopey.

But a trial will include Australia in an already well-established global 
quest to spell out the pharmaceutical benefits of this demonised, 
misunderstood but ever-popular drug.

Advanced clinical trials are under way around the world, exploring the 
medicinal use of cannabis in several illnesses.

The first results of the world's biggest study of multiple sclerosis 
patients are due next month and the first cannabis-based medicines are 
being considered for a licence.

In anticipation of the first trial results, the prestigious Lancet medical 
journal this month published a special review on the therapeutic potential 
of cannabis.

Authors Alan Thompson and David Baker, of the London Institute of 
Neurology, found a range of potential uses for the active compounds 
contained in the plant.

These include spinal cord injuries, motor neurone disease, cancer, 
glaucoma, bladder dysfunction, Parkinson's disease, post traumatic stress 
disorder, asthma, schizophrenia, stroke and anorexia.

Queen Victoria was said to have sworn by a cannabis tincture for menstrual 
pains.

"That we are only just beginning to appreciate the huge therapeutic 
potential of this family of compounds is clear," the authors reported.

"As we learn more about the phamacological activities of compounds in 
cannabis and their biological targets ... varieties of cannabis might be 
tailored to different diseases or used in combination with known drugs."

Used recreationally, cannabis induces relaxation and mild euphoria. It can 
stimulate long-term memory, creative thinking and responses to music and 
humour.

On the downside, some people can experience paranoia, anxiety, short-term 
memory loss, cognitive problems, amotivational syndrome and in extreme 
cases hallucinations, delusions and psychosis.

There has also been a steady stream of anecdotal claims through history 
that cannabis eases limb-muscle spasms, migraine and pain and has 
anti-convulsive, pain-killing, anti-anxiety and anti-nausea effects.

Thompson and Baker said the best evidence about cannabis was in relation to 
the management of pain and spasticity in MS patients.

Two British research groups are conducting a 30-centre trial to test the 
effectiveness of cannabis capsules in more than 660 MS patients.

That trial is expected to produce results within a month while other big 
trials looking at the use of cannabis in treating cancer-related and 
post-operative pain, sleep disturbance and HIV-related wasting are in 
advanced stages.

Cannabis has been linked to schizophrenia but, according to the Lancet 
review, several studies have indicated that people with schizophrenia 
actually use the drug as a form of self-medication.

Further down the track, cannabis might be used to treat slow brain 
degenerative disorders like Huntington's, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, motor 
neurone disease and stroke, the review said.

The authors cautioned about over-optimism about calling cannabis the new 
wonder drug, saying a review of small trials of cannabis in 222 patients 
with acute cancer and chronic pain cast doubt on its effectiveness compared 
with conventional painkillers.

The question also remains of how the drug is best administered - whether 
swallowed, sprayed under the tongue, inserted via suppository, inhaled as a 
vapour or smoked.

Smoking is viewed as one of the most effective means of delivery but is not 
considered a viable option because of the adverse health effects of smoke 
inhalation.
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MAP posted-by: Alex