Pubdate: Sun, 31 Jan 2016 Source: Wales on Sunday (UK) Contact: 2016 Trinity Mirror Plc Website: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3763 Author: Tyler Mears Page: 5 CANNABIS OIL GIVES CANCER PATIENT HOPE A YOUNG man with an inoperable form of bone cancer, who was told he only had a year left to live, claims cannabis oil has given him new hope. Last August, 23-year-old George Blakemore from Torfaen was diagnosed with Stage 2 Chondrosarcoma a rare form of bone cancer arising from the left pubic ramus bone. By October it had spread to his lungs and after undergoing one of the strongest forms of chemotherapy, George was told surgery was no longer an option and he may only have around a year left to live. This left his family and friends devastated, especially his girlfriend, 19-year-old Bethany Priest. She said: "The past few months have been extremely difficult, stressful, upsetting and a scary rollercoaster. When I was told George only had 10-12 months to live I thought I'm not going to let this happen." George and Bethany began desperately looking for a cure beyond chemotherapy and said they found a number of articles about cannabis oil being used to treat cancer alongside chemotherapy. They came across a man from America who claimed that a steady diet of cannabis oil coupled with chemotherapy wiped out his "incurable" and "inoperable" cancer. Bethany said: "When we talked about the cannabis oil, we knew it might be a bit risky, but when you go through something like this, you'll try anything for the person you love." They got in touch with the man they found online who they said suggested they try it. Cannabis oil is a concentrated extract of cannabis produced by extraction from the bud or leaves of the cannabis plant through the use of solvents. This results in the concentrated extract being sticky and as a result is commonly referred to as oil. "Since using the oil, along with another form of chemotherapy, George has stopped being sick, his hair is growing back, he no longer gets sores in his mouth, he's sleeping through the nights and has a lot more energy," Bethany claimed. "It's the first bit of hope we've had in months and it's given us something to fight for, but it's very expensive. One ounce of cannabis, which costs around UKP230, will take hours to make and will produce very little oil - around three days' worth." The issue of whether or not cannabis has medicinal qualities is a controversial and sensitive topic but its use remains illegal in the UK. Raj Aggarwal,, a pharmacist in Cardiff, said: "The cannabis plant has been well-known and used for centuries in n medicinal as well as for recreational purposes; however, the actual medicinal compounds within this plant exerting these effects are due to the cannabinoidss and their effects on specific receptors in the brain. "They have also been known to produce palliative effects in patients with cancer through reducing nausea, vomiting and pain as well as stimulating patient appetite. "However, currently these are anecdotally being used and documented by individual patients who have reported hair regrowth and improvement in symptoms/side-effects they experience as a result of chemotherapy. This is all anecdotal and it should be noted that following cessation of chemotherapy, hair re-growth usually reoccurs "There are no human clinical trials in place and questions are still unanswered around which type of cannabinoid may be the most effective, which types of cancer may respond best to these, how existing chemotherapy may interact, how to deliver the drug most efficiently to the target tumours as well as problems with side effects, including how to tackle the psychoactive effects. "From a pharmaceutical perspective, therefore, until further research has been conducted, clinical trials and safety data is made available, and the MHRA grants a marketing authorisation to these products - we cannot advocate the use of these products in cancer patients. "Whilst sympathising with patients and the extremely distressing side effects that treatment can produce, patient safety has to remain our top priority. Any patients considering this as a medicinal treatment option should discuss this with their consultant or doctor before initiating its use." Detective Inspector Dinlle Francis, of South Wales Police public protection unit, said: "Cannabis is categorised as a Class B drug and anyone caught in possession could face up to five years in prison, as well as an unlimited fine. Anyone convicted of the production and supply of cannabis could face up to 14 years in prison as well as an unlimited fine. "Drugs cause immense h harm to our communities a and South Wales Police works with our partners in taking an approach aimed a at reducing this harm by encouraging users into support and treatment as well as educating people on the potential harms and effects of such substances, thereby reducing the numbers of people who become users. "South Wales Police is focusing on tackling the organised gangs and the individuals who are the source of the supply. "Those who grow or deal in drugs, no matter on what scale, are responsible for causing massive harm to our communities, and will be tackled." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom