cannabisnews.com: The Lesson of Sativex





The Lesson of Sativex
Posted by CN Staff on April 19, 2005 at 17:51:38 PT
By Rob Kampia, AlterNet
Source: AlterNet
By approving liquid marijuana, the Canadian government has just certified that virtually everything our own government has been telling us about marijuana is wrong. On April 19, the Canadian government delivered what should be the final blow to the U.S. government's irrational prohibition against the medical use of marijuana. It approved prescription sale of a natural marijuana extract -- for all practical purposes, liquid marijuana -- to treat pain and other symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis.
Sativex, produced by GW Pharmaceuticals in Britain, brings the medical marijuana debate full circle. Though the technology has advanced in 70 years, this product is a direct descendent of the marijuana extracts and tinctures that were a standard part of the medical armamentarium until the late 1930s -- universally recognized as being safe and effective for certain conditions. These products were taken away from patients and doctors as a result of the prohibition on marijuana that began in 1937, despite the public opposition of the American Medical Association.In short, the Canadian government has just certified that virtually everything our own government has been telling us about marijuana is wrong. In defiance of a large and growing pile of scientific studies, our government still claims that marijuana has no medical value. White House Drug Czar John Walters even compared medical marijuana to "medicinal crack."Such statements were always scientifically ridiculous, as has been noted by a wide range of authorities, including the American Public Health Association, the American Nurses Association, and the state medical societies of New York, California and Rhode Island, to name just a few. Now, GW Pharmaceuticals' research has definitively put such nonsense to rest.Make no mistake: Sativex is liquid marijuana. It is nothing like Marinol, the synthetic THC pill sold in the U.S. and sometimes falsely touted as an adequate substitute for marijuana.Sativex is a whole-plant extract, containing the rich variety of naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids that are unique to marijuana. It also contains trace elements of other compounds contained in the plant, which scientists believe contribute to its therapeutic value.On its website, GW Pharmaceuticals explains, "We believe very strongly that many of the advantages of using the whole plant come from the inclusion of other components of cannabis [marijuana]," not just THC. "In the cannabis plant, it appears that some of the components added together give better effect. Some components seem to work to counteract some of the side effects of others, and the whole plant is generally well tolerated by humans."Sativex is to marijuana as a cup of coffee is to coffee beans. If Sativex is safe and effective, marijuana is safe and effective. And Sativex is safe and effective. Studies have shown significant effect against pain and other symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis and other debilitating conditions. Over 600 patient-years of research have established a remarkable record of safety.Sativex should certainly be approved in the U.S., but the process may take years -- if it is allowed to happen at all. Sadly, our government's reflexive hostility to the medical use of marijuana shows no sign of abating.But an even larger issue looms: Now that we know beyond doubt that marijuana is a safe, effective medicine, how long will our government continue to arrest patients who use it?And even if Sativex is approved here someday, it won't be the answer for every patient now benefiting from medical marijuana. For one thing, it has been clearly shown that different strains of marijuana -- with different blends of cannabinoids -- work better for some conditions and less well for others. Sativex just comes in one formula, and it won't be right for everyone.And Sativex will be expensive. Will we force patients to buy a pricey pharmaceutical version of a plant they could grow themselves for pennies? At a time when our health care system is drowning in rising costs, that's insane. We could end up with a policy every bit as silly as telling coffee drinkers that they can buy a cappuccino, but they'll be arrested on sight if caught in possession of coffee beans.The lesson of Sativex is simple: Our government was wrong. Marijuana is medicine, and patients and doctors should be able to use it in whatever form works best for their particular situation. Rob Kampia is executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, DC.Source: AlterNet (US)Author:  Rob Kampia, AlterNetPublished: April 19, 2005Copyright: 2005 Independent Media InstituteContact: letters alternet.org Website: http://www.alternet.org/DL: http://alternet.org/drugreporter/21818/Related Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/GW Pharmaceuticalshttp://www.gwpharm.com/Canada Approves GWs Cannabis Drug for MS http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20541.shtmlGW Clears Cannabis Hurdlehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20540.shtmlCannabis Spray Gets Go-Aheadhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20536.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by ekim on April 20, 2005 at 09:44:45 PT
MarijuanaNews World Report April 19, 
http://www.marijuananews.com/Program Notes for the MarijuanaNews World Report April 19, 2005 Sativex, Approved for Use In Canada. Proves Medical Value of Plant. Hires Prohibitionist Quack. Dangerous Pain Killers. Czar's Idiocy. 
Posted by Richard Cowan on 2005-04-19 16:20:00 
Source: 
 
This proves my thesis that the GW business plan depends on the continuation of cannabis prohibition and reefer madness.
http://www.minorml.org
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Comment #11 posted by Toker00 on April 20, 2005 at 08:57:00 PT
To stoners everywhere.
HAPPY 420!Sativex, Indicex, it all sounds good!Salute, Kaptinemo!Peace. Legalize, then Revolutionize! (medicine)(energy)(nutrition)
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Comment #10 posted by Greenjoy on April 20, 2005 at 08:00:38 PT
OK Jose
 I hope your right! Actually, I have 3 lava lamps of my own. One of them is huge. A part of the decour in my studio. The narration attached along with said commercial states that it is all that anyone who smokes pot will ever do... hang out and "zone out". Not that that's a bad thing :-)I know people -who should know better- that buy into that though. BSEG.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on April 20, 2005 at 07:33:29 PT
kaptinemo
Happy 4/20 to you too! It's good to see you and I hope you are having a great vacation! 
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Comment #8 posted by jose melendez on April 20, 2005 at 06:18:00 PT
lava lamps, pot: science entertainment commerce
As with most products of prohibition, a commercial that makes fun of kids looking at a lava lamp will likely have the unintended consequence of demonstrating yet another positive effect of cannabis use: introspection leading to inspiration and discovery.http://www.psychedelic-library.org/high_culture11.htmCertainly, lava lamps are an interesting scientific demonstration of specific gravity, heat and density:http://tinyurl.com/dq7jvFurthermore, the lava lamp business story is a classic example of success through perseverance with a great yet seemingly impossible goal:http://tinyurl.com/co7toThat said, and similarly to cannabis, it's probably a bit dangerous to ingest the product after it's temperature exceeds a certain point:http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/comments/1583/ - - -Today's tip: Grin. It's good for you, and others! 
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Comment #7 posted by potpal on April 20, 2005 at 06:03:38 PT
Could they?
Really be considering this crude method of administering a drug? (which there was a sarcasm font...;-)http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4464571.stm 
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Comment #6 posted by afterburner on April 20, 2005 at 05:53:30 PT
Happy 420 to You, kap...
and to all the cannabis family.Ways to Help - Activism Ideas 
http://frankdiscussion.netfirms.com/activism_index.htmlLow Risk Activism suggestions 
http://frankdiscussion.netfirms.com/act_lowrisk.html
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Comment #5 posted by kaptinemo on April 20, 2005 at 04:52:41 PT:
Breaking radio silence
Greetings to all cannabists on this, Our Holy Day!Just stopping by to extend my salutations to all. 
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Comment #4 posted by potpal on April 20, 2005 at 04:05:32 PT
And that's that
Thank you Mr. Kampia and Cannada.G-W...Pharm, gotta love the name.Happy 420 all!
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Comment #3 posted by afterburner on April 19, 2005 at 20:29:18 PT
More Details
Canada becomes Sativex country 
by Nigel Olson (19 Apr, 2005) GW's plant-based medicine approved for pharmacies
http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/4310.html
 
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Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on April 19, 2005 at 19:38:41 PT
Rob's A Good Man
Maybe one day, the US government will wake up and realize that the people are in charge of the government, and there is little they can do, but our bidding. Ironically, they have no one to blame for this turn of events other than their high handed tactics against their own citizens.Overwhelm Uncle Sam
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 19, 2005 at 17:52:54 PT
Thank You Rob Kampia!
Excellent article!
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