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| Pain Test for Cannabis |
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Posted by FoM on August 10, 2001 at 12:53:45 PT Some pain sufferers already take illegal cannabis Source: BBC News 
Cannabis extract is undergoing its first large scale UK trials to measure if it could be a treatment for post-operative pain. Up to 2,000 patients at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London will be taking part. Some will get tablets containing the "cannabinoid" chemical, others conventional pain relief capsules and some others a placebo pill with no active ingredients. The trial, led by Dr Anita Holdcroft, is another in a clutch of experiments launched in the UK since the government gave cannabis trials the green light two years ago. Others are checking its effect on MS symptoms and cancer pain. At the moment patients might be given a powerful painkiller such as morphine for the hours immediately after surgery. However, doctors are loathe to prescribe drugs like these for too long, so as soon as possible, more conventional painkillers such as codeine or even paracetamol are given. Reduced dose Cannabis extracts, it is hoped, might do a better job than these at dealing with pain, and, if used earlier in combination with the morphine, reduce the amount of the more powerful drug which has to be used. Dr Holdcroft told the BBC: "There is anecdotal evidence that when people smoke it, cannabis does have pain-relieving effects. "What we want to do now is prove it does provide pain-relief in a hospital setting. "We have produced a standardised pill, so we know exactly how much of the drug the patient is getting, and can monitor side-effects precisely." The cannabis itself is being supplied to the trial by a charity, and the research is being funded by the Medical Resarch Council. Both a supposed active ingredient of cannabis, called THC, and tablets made from cannabis oil, are being tested. Patients have mixed feelings about the introduction of cannabis into the hospital pharmacy. Tom Kelleher, recovering after abdominal surgery, said: "I'm totally against drugs - but it's good to use them in the proper sense, in hospital." The results of the trials will influence any decision by the government to licence cannabis -based drugs. Dr Anita Holdcroft, consultant anaesthetist - We know exactly how much of the drug the patient is getting, and can monitor side-effects precisely. Source: BBC News (UK Web) Related Articles: Cannabis 'No Better Than Codeine' for Headaches Cannabis Trial Funding Announced Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #11 posted by The Offspring on August 12, 2001 at 05:34:15 PT |
| God put all seed bearing plants on earth for man. So why does man think he has the right to ban Cannabis. I trust God more than I trust the Almighty DEA. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by dddd on August 11, 2001 at 22:56:58 PT |
| FoM said,"Cannabis is a beautiful, aromatic medicinal herb." ..and it's so true.....this innocent,harmless,God given,vital herb,,with all its abundant healing properties,and undiscovered, and unrealized potential,,,this herb has been hyped into this created taint of evil,through a libelous campaign of misinformation, and witch-hunt frenzy,,....and for what reason?,,,is it because it kills people?,,,no. Is it because it is dangerous,or poison?,,no. ,,Is it because of a real concern that it is a danger to society?,,,no ,,The sole reason for Marijuana prohibition,is POLITICAL....It exsists only because of various political advantages,that benefit a small number of very rich people,and their political cohorts..... it is indeed.....disgusting................indeedddd [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by FoM on August 11, 2001 at 21:32:48 PT |
| Thanks dddd, I guess that's how I feel. Cannabis is a beautiful, aromatic medicinal herb. I believe that it could in many cases take the place of anti depressants and it could help people get off of hard drugs if they want too. Marijuana isn't a gateway drug it is a way to get away from hard drugs for many. So in that sense it could be a gateway drug off of hard drugs if this makes sense and it were allowed. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by dddd on August 11, 2001 at 21:15:24 PT |
| Right On FoM....dddd [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on August 11, 2001 at 20:01:40 PT |
| Hi Everyone, We all know how nice Cannabis is but do we really know all the potential that Cannabis might have? I don't personally. I know that it helps shrinks brain tumors, helps keep a check on nausea and increases the appetite for wasting diseases. We know Dr. Russo is studying Cannabis and Migraines. I want this plant redeemed not just legalized. If we all didn't believe that Cannabis is a good thing we wouldn't be here every day talking about how we feel. As we fight for the reform of the laws we also are fighting for a persons right to be who they are. It's all about personal moral Freedom I believe. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by dddd on August 11, 2001 at 19:42:46 PT |
| I must agree with your outstandingly articulated argument,, ,,but,,I still am quite confident that the drug-pigs will try to use the development of any cannabis derivitives,to impliment their rhetoric against legalization... JAH Shine on You.........dddd [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #5 posted by Dan B on August 11, 2001 at 19:03:19 PT:
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| I think we can rest assured that medical advances with cannabis will not undermine our efforts to make the herb legal for a regulated market, provided that we continue to draw the focus of all "legalize and regulate" arguments to the central point that people are being put in jail/prison because of their personal choices. I see the medical advances as opportunities to add legitimacy to our claims, not scary steps toward making our claims obsolete. After all, if the drug is good for patients who need it, and it causes them no problems, why is it then illegal for those who want to use it for other reasons? While I don't believe that we should rest our hopes for legal and regulated cannabis on the backs of the sick and dying, I must admit that the sick and dying add legitimacy to our arguments whether the herb is legal for medical purposes or not. If the herb is useful to sick and dying patients, whether in smoked form or not, and if it does them no harm, then why should it be illegal for anyone who wants to use it, medically or recreationally? In fact, if it is legal for medical purposes, such legality adds to the possibility that legitimate research will be conducted that will finally show, in no uncertain terms and even to the most skeptical observers, that cannabis is not the "demon weed" it has been made out to be. The sooner that claim is laid to rest, the better. (I know that it has already been proven, but any good research would shed further light on the legitimacy of this herb as both a healer and a relatively safe recreational intoxicant). That sick and dying people are jailed (and sometimes outright killed, as in the case of the late Peter McWilliams) is certainly an outrage, but isn't our outrage justified enough simply by the fact that anyone, sick or not, is jailed for using cannabis? I think it is noble and right to conduct studies into the most effective therapeutic uses of cannabis, even if it means that doctors create new pills and potions that work without the aid of a lighter or match. So, by all means, please continue to seek out new treatments for those who need them. We could always use more scientific backing for our arguments. Dan B [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by dddd on August 11, 2001 at 01:01:37 PT |
| "I know what some of you are thinking: More Studies?" ...Ethan,,It's true that I tend to be one of those you speak ..My concern,,,is that these advancements in the use of cannabis derivatives,
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Comment #3 posted by reality on August 10, 2001 at 17:39:19 PT:
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| Why has it taken so long? At last a real effort to collect facts. On with the show. ALL WE ARE SAYING IS GIVE GRASS A CHANCE. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by Doug on August 10, 2001 at 17:25:03 PT |
| Tom Kelleher, recovering after abdominal surgery, said: "I'm totally against drugs ...." It doesn't bother me if they do more studies, as long as they are done in a legitamate manner, and not with the intention of proving a foregone consclusion, as so many sponsored by the NIDA are. But I got a chuckle out of this commment by a man in a hospital (of all places) surrounded by all types of major and minor drugs. Does he, or the reporter, recognize the irony in this statement? [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on August 10, 2001 at 17:12:36 PT:
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| I know what some of you are thinking: More Studies? This is important. Dr. Holdcroft has a fine reputation. What is more amazing is that she is an anesthesiologist. This is one of the most conservative branches of medicine, and not one that has been partial to the cause of medicinal cannabis. This is a very large trial that will likely show that cannabis helps reduce narcotic doses, side effects and complications markedly. If so, it will go far in advancing acceptance of cannabis medicines by physicians and the public. [ Post Comment ] |
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