Pubdate: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Contact: http://www.columbian.com/ Forum: http://www.webforums.com/forums/trace/host/msa70.html Copyright: 1998 The Columbian Publishing Co. Author: Gae Stanley CANNABIS PROVES ITSELF MEDICALLY Scientific research of the chemicals in cannabis reveal how it can be used medicinally. Marijuana contains more than 60 cannabinoids, the pharmacologically active substances in the plant. Many of these aren't psychoactive and produce no "high." One in particular, cannabidiol or CBD, has been intensively studied for its anti-spasmodic properties. The human body has two known cannabinoid receptor sites. With grants from the U.S. government and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the University of Arizona Medical Center conducted an FDA-approved study of CBD in 1986. The cannabinoid was given to patients diagnosed with dystonia movement disorders (similar to Parkinson's disease). The International Journal of Neuroscience published the results. The Annals of Neurology and the Journal of Neurology published similar studies done on multiple sclerosis patients who had cannabinoids given to them. In all cases, the researchers concluded that cannabis has powerful beneficial affects, reducing painful muscle spasticity. Based on hundreds of clinical studies proving marijuana relieves suffering in certain medical conditions, the Journal of the American Medical Association publicly called for the federal government to allow marijuana to be used medicinally. It is now known that tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is not always solely responsible for medicinal action. The nonpsychoactive cannabinoids working synergistically with THC are equally valuable. This is part of the reason that the drug Marinol, a synthetic form of pure THC, is not as effective as whole marijuana. It is mean-spirited to deny patients treatment to relieve their suffering based on groundless fears. Unchecked hysteria was responsible for outlawing medical marijuana in 1937; common-sense voters have reversed that mistake. The Washington initiative clearly spells out that marijuana would be used for the most serious diseases, not for a nosebleed or a fallen arch, as inaccurately stated in Sandra Bennett's Dec. 9 opinion piece, "Medical pot is not about compassion, but getting stoned." Gae Stanley Vancouver - --- Checked-by: Richard Lake