Source: CNN World Report Aired: March 15, 1998 - 2:03 p.m. ET ILLEGAL WEED, HEALS BODY AND SOUL? RALPH WENGE, CNN ANCHOR: In most of the developed world, medicine is based on scientific proof, or physiology, anatomy, and biology. Treatments that involve the spiritual or ancient tradition instead of science or frequently called "alternative medicine." But in many places, these so-called alternative treatments are standards medical practice. In fact, four out of five people around the globe have access to nothing but traditional medicine. Traditional healers come in many forms from witch doctors to acupuncturists. One thing they seem to have in common is an interest in healing the soul, as well as the body. This week we're taking a special look at how medicine is practiced throughout the world. And we begin in Europe where some physicians are investigating the health benefits of a drug that is illegal in most countries. Radio Netherlands Television reports. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ARIANE GREEP, RADIO NETHERLANDS TELEVISION (voice-over): For years marijuana can be bought in many soft drug coffee shops all over Holland. Although it is by law forbidden to sell the soft drug, the government tolerates it. It is however illegal to grow the weed on Dutch soil. For many people, marijuana is not just a soft drug used for pleasure. For instance, people suffering from the severe chronic illness multiple sclerosis say they benefit tremendously by smoking marijuana to ease the terrible pain. Forty-six-year-old Peter Boonman is one of those people. Nine years ago doctors found out he had progressive multiple sclerosis, a disease which will slowly make him an invalid. Severe pains are part of this chronic disease. Two and a half years ago he started smoking marijuana. PETER BOONMAN, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENT: Marijuana is very important. It keeps me alive. It keeps me -- it gives me energy. It gives me strength. It gives -- it keeps me going on. Otherwise, I couldn't go on. My legs are warm. I can eat. I feel fine in my body. I have no spasms any more. I get strength and energy. GREEP: it's for you -- it's the ultimate medicine? BOONMAM: For me, it is ultimate medicine. GREEP: Up until last year, the government also tolerated the sale of marijuana in pharmacies. This year it is forbidden. Now a new synthetic drug will come on the market in Holland with supposedly the same qualities as marijuana. MARK HAGENZIEKER, PHARMACIST: Marinol is a product which contains one chemical substance which is the THC, a product which comes from the marijuana plant and that can be used as a pharmaceutical product. BOONMAN: The big industry is putting Marinol on the market. So they want to keep making their money. And they don't make money on marijuana. Because how you ask patent on the marijuana? You can't ask patent on the marijuana. So they against it. GREEP: In Holland, research has now started on the effect of marijuana on people with MS, cancer, and AIDS. For Peter Boonmam, the answer is already evident. BOONMAN: The solution is legalize marijuana as a medicine. GREEP: For Radio Netherlands Television, for CNN WORLD REPORT. (END VIDEOTAPE) (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) MICHAEL MORRIS, SWISS TV-SRI (voice-over): Canibus, a plant which can grow practically anywhere, even in Switzerland. But the crop contains THC, a highly controversial substance. Since an operation on his spinal cord, Swiss lawyer Ruedi Prerost is plagued by cramps and pains in his legs. Although conventional medication of his relief, there's a side effect -- tiredness. After Ruedi Prerost accepted a joint from a visiting friend in hospital, the spasms in his legs disappeared. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) RUEDI PREROST, PATIENT (through translator): That's why I asked my neurologist if I could have the substance in its pure form and take the smallest dose possible as a medication. MORRIS: As part of his study at the Neurological Clinic at Zurich University, Ruedi Prerost is given THC under medical supervision. How were the results? Head of the study, Professor Volker Henn. PROF. VOLKER HENN, ZURICH UNIVERSITY: Positive because with this particular patient, there was a clear sign of a positive effect on his physical symptoms, by painful muscular contractions using a small enough dose to avoid any psychogenic side effects. MORRIS: But the study also showed that in many other cases, a higher dosage of THC was needed producing a psychogenic effect many patients perceived as negative. The medicinal value of canibus has been known for over 5,000 years. In China, it was used against asthma, in India against headaches and cramps, to treat malaria and menstrual problems in Southeast Asia, in Africa against Anthrax and depression, and in the Caribbean to fight off tuberculosis. Although nowadays in the United States, synthetic THC is given to patients in exceptional cases, here in Switzerland, anyone putting crumbs of hashish into yogurt is still acting against the law. In this case, it's being taken by a man suffering from multiple sclerosis to ease uncontrollable spasms. But canibus can also be smoked. Does that mean people with spastic problems should light up? HENN: People should certainly not all start smoking joints. Because there are very effective drugs on the market which ease painful spasms. THC offers a further option in treating spastic conditions. But the gap between relieving and producing unwanted side effects is much too narrow. MORRIS: So even after 5,000 years, the CAMPODE plant remains steeped in mystery. This is Michael Morris of Swiss Television and Swiss Radio International for CNN WORLD REPORT. (END VIDEOTAPE) © 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.