Let the DEA know that science is validating medicinal value
Let the DEA know that science is validating medicinal value
Last week, Administrative Law Judge Marry Ellen Bittner, ruled that
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) should issue a license
to Massachusetts plant biologist, Dr. Lyle E. Craker, which would
allow him to grow cannabis for research purposes. Judge Bittner stated
in her long-awaited 87-page ruling that issuing such a license would
be "in the public interest."
We would hope so. The DEA and those promoting cannabis prohibition
have numerous times declared cannabis to be of limited medicinal
value due to a perceived lack of scientific research. Just in the
last five years alone, we counted more than 12 studies that
reported in the media the possible effectiveness of marijuana in
treating such debilitating conditions as:
1. Alzheimer's Disease
POT MAY BE BOOST TO OLDER BRAINS : New York Daily News (NY) : October
19, 2006 : "Anti-inflammatory compounds in pot deflect the memory loss
associated with the illness Alzheimer's] and could ultimately slow its
progression, said psychology Prof. Gary Wenk of Ohio State
University." US NY: Pot May Be Boost To Older Brains
2. Cancer - Brain Tumors
REPORT SUPRESSED THAT MARIJUANA COMPONENTS CAN INHIBIT CANCER GROWTH :
The Coastal Post (CA) : November 1, 2004 : "Clinical research touted
by the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research that
shows marijuana's components can inhibit the growth of cancerous brain
tumors is the latest in a long line of studies demonstrating the
drug's potential as an anti-cancer agent."
US: Report Supressed That Marijuana Components Can Inhibit Cancer Growth
3. Epilepsy
CANNABIS 'COULD HELP EPILEPTICS' : BBC News (UK Web) : October 4, 2003
: "Further evidence has emerged that an ingredient of cannabis could
help prevent epileptic seizures."
Germany: Web: Cannabis 'Could Help Epileptics'
4. High Blood Pressure
ISRAELI RESEARCHER LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE WITH CANNABIS COMPONENT :
Jerusalem Post : June 14, 2006 : "A new method for lowering blood
pressure with a compound that synthesizes a cannabis ( hashish or
marijuana ) plant component has been developed by a Hebrew University
doctoral student in pharmacology."
Israel: Israeli Researcher Lowers Blood Pressure With Cannabis
5. Hepatitis C
US CA: STUDY: MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH HEP C : Bay Area
Reporter : September 21, 2006 : "Medical marijuana can help people
with hepatitis C stay on treatment longer, leading to better outcomes,
according to a study published in the October 2006 issue of the
European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology."
US CA: Study: Medical Marijuana Can Help People With Hep C
6. Multiple Sclerosis
STUDY SUGGESTS MARIJUANA MAY EASE MS SYMPTOMS : Sacramento Bee (CA) :
November 7, 2003 : "A marijuana pill appeared to relieve some of the
symptoms of multiple sclerosis in the first scientifically rigorous
study of the strongly debated drug."
UK: MS Patients Report Some Relief From Marijuana Pill, Study
7. Nausea - Chemotherapy
ONE DRUG, TWO TAKES : Los Angeles Times : May 1, 2006 : "For nausea,
the panel examined about a dozen studies that looked at THC or
marijuana's ability to quell nausea during chemotherapy. For example,
in one study, 56 cancer patients who did not respond to other anti-
nausea and vomiting drugs were given marijuana. More than one-third
rated the plant as moderately or highly effective."
US CA: One Drug, Two Takes
8. Nausea - Morning Sickness
MORE PREGNANCY HIGHS THAN LOWS : National Post (Canada) : January 17,
2006 : "Almost all of the B.C. women surveyed at the University of
Victoria and University of British Columbia said smoking marijuana
helped curb the nausea of pregnancy."
CN BC: More Pregnancy Highs Than Lows
9. Pain - Peripheral Neuropathy (in AIDS) SMOKING POT REDUCES PAIN,
STUDY SHOWS : Washington Post : February 13, 2007 : "AIDS patients
suffering from debilitating nerve pain got as much or more relief by
smoking marijuana as they would typically get from prescription drugs
-- and with fewer side effects -- according to a study conducted under
rigorously controlled onditions with government-grown pot."
US: Smoking Pot Reduces Pain, Study Shows
10. Pain - Post surgical
CANNABIS 'REDUCES SURGERY PAIN : BBC News : June 2, 2006 : "A cannabis
plant extract provides pain relief for patients after major surgery,
research has shown." UK: Web: Cannabis 'Reduces Surgery Pain'
11. Psychosis
CANNABIS 'COULD REVERSE PSYCHOSIS' : Daily Telegraph (UK) : December
1, 2005 : "AUSTRALIAN researchers believe cannabis, a drug believed to
increase the risk of psychosis, may also be able to reverse psychotic
behaviour." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1879/a03.html
12. Schizophrenia
MARIJUANA MOOD SWING : NOW Magazine (CN ON) : September 21, 2006 :
"The strongest data out there is that CBD [a component of cannabis],
in strong enough doses, controls schizophrenia."
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1879/a03.html
Those who need to persuade policy makers about cannabis' medicinal
value should present this list to them. A formatted PDF of it can be
found here: http://drugsense.org/flyers/cannabisstudies.pdf
While you're at it, please note the source from which this list is
derived. DrugSense (DrugSense: Drug Law Reform) has been archiving
articles like these since 1996. Our DrugNews Archive
(MAP: Drug News Index) now contains over 175,000 newspaper, magazine,
and Web clippings on all aspects of drug policy, including studies
about medical marijuana.
If you find this list useful, why not help the organization that made
it possible? DrugSense is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is
dedicated to accuracy in the media concerning drug policy topics. Your
donation is tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Donating is quick and easy. Just visit this link:
DrugSense: Drug Law Reform - DrugSense: Drug Policy Reform Contributions
Checks can also be made payable to DrugSense and mailed to:
DrugSense
14252 Culver Dr #328
Irvine, CA 92604-0326
Remember, it's not what others do, it's what we all do together that
makes a difference.
