cannabisnews.com: Looking for Relief, More Time Looking for Relief, More Time Posted by CN Staff on June 17, 2007 at 07:02:56 PT By Leo Greene Source: Daily Bulletin Calif. -- Leo's Story: Marijuana protects the nerves and dramatically slows the progression of ALS and other fatal neurological disorders, according to reputable studies. I point this out as a reminder and to provide a voice for those of us caught in the middle of what seems like an intensifying marijuana war. Narcotics agents are busting pot farms left and right. The DEA has been raiding medical-marijuana dispensaries up and down the state. And the U.S. Attorney's Office has been filing criminal charges against medical- marijuana providers. Though California voters legalized its use for medical purposes in 1996, possessing or selling marijuana remains a federal crime. For that reason, or out of fear dispensaries might attract the wrong kinds of people, some cities and counties are imposing moratoriums or outright bans on cannabis pharmacies. In the meantime, the terminally ill are seeking a release from their suffering or the chance to eke out a few more days on this planet. The studies supporting marijuana's life-extending and pain-relieving qualities are compelling. Marijuana compounds lengthened the lives of laboratory animals with ALS in a 2004 study at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. The animals lived significantly longer, the equivalent of three years in human terms. The only drug approved for the treatment of ALS extends life only three months, on average. Human trials are said to be in the works, though not in this country, where researchers face federal obstacles. Marijuana also relieves the muscle twitching and spasms associated with ALS. It can also reduce excess mucus, a common and nightmarish symptom that contributes to lung infections, choking and, all too often, suffocation. "We use medical marijuana for some of the symptoms of ALS," said Dr. Tahseen Mozaffar, co-director of the MDA/ALS Center at UC Irvine. "Marijuana, or the chemicals in marijuana, may have protective effects on the brain cells." Pot's nerve-protecting benefits extend to other diseases. A study at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio found that marijuana-like compounds protected laboratory animals from the effects of Parkinson's disease. For those with multiple sclerosis, marijuana appears to slow progression, as well providing symptomatic relief. "Cannabis-based medicine is effective in reducing pain and sleep disturbance in patients with multiple sclerosis-related central neuropathic pain, and is mostly well tolerated," according to findings published in 2005 in the journal Neurology. Marijuana also inhibits nerve degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. In a study published last year, rheumatoid arthritis patients taking cannabis- based medicine reported significant relief. And marijuana has long been shown to be effective in treating nausea and improving appetite for cancer patients on chemotherapy. While a pharmaceutical grade of one cannabis ingredient is available with a doctor's prescription, it does not contain other potentially beneficial marijuana compounds. As local officials consider banning or limiting the sale of medicinal pot, I ask them to keep in mind the voters who approved the use of medical marijuana. And keep us in mind, too - the people with ALS, MS and Parkinson's. We're only trying to buy a little time. Editor's note: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reporter and videographer Leo Greene was diagnosed with ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease - on Aug. 16, 2006. In a monthly column and through videos available at: http://www.dailybulletin.com Leo explains his thoughts and feelings as he confronts this terminal illness. Medical marijuana could buy me time. Time to see my two younger sons graduate. Time to see another grandchild born. Time, perhaps, for a cure to come along. Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)Author: Leo GreenePublished: June 17, 2007Copyright: 2007 Los Angeles Newspaper GroupContact: letters dailybulletin.comWebsite: http://www.dailybulletin.com/Related Articles:Marijuana-Like Chemicals Helps Treat Parkinson'shttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22608.shtml Marijuana May Stave Off Alzheimer's: Studyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22243.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #15 posted by FoM on June 18, 2007 at 14:12:05 PT Dankhank That would be kind of you. MD is such a debilitating disease. The mind stays fine but the body just slowly quits. If only cannabis wasn't illegal so many people would try it and in time data would show if it helps or hurts a person with a particular disease. They do that now with experimental drugs that can have serious toxic effects. Cannabis wouldn't do that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by dankhank on June 18, 2007 at 14:00:15 PT FoM For years I have read and collected studies, abstracts and press releases about cannabis and motor-neuron diseases and have decided that there IS hope that Cannabis, THC or whatever DOES retard onset of some if not all neuro-muscular diseases.The literature is out there about Tourettes, Parkinson's, MS, MD, the Madrid Brain-Tumor-destruction study, the Virginia study, at the behest of the National academy ... the list can be quite exhaustive if collected and published.I have most of this on the CRL, perhaps I should send you the latest update.I'll make sure it's up to date for the latest N-M stuff. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 18, 2007 at 12:30:50 PT Dankhank Thank you. My brother in law also had Paget's disease. My sisters whole family is part of a study of families that have this rare combination of diseases. This isn't them but another family.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=5953945&dopt=Abstract [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by dankhank on June 18, 2007 at 11:52:08 PT motor-neuron diseases ... http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/NEUROMUSCULAR_DISEASES.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on June 18, 2007 at 06:14:06 PT Dankhank Thank you. I will find out the name of the MD that they have. My one nephew lives with his mom, my sister, and he must go up stairs to bed and the bathroom. He can't barely make it but a local Church has given him a chair lift and it will be installed as soon as is necessary. It would have cost about $12,000 to buy. Everyone just loves my nephew. He's a really good person and so are the other two that have MD. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Dankhank on June 17, 2007 at 22:14:37 PT privacy ... is important, so I know you will allow them theirs ...I will find my stuff on slowing progression, there are a few, as I can inform only.Peace good FoM to you and your family. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on June 17, 2007 at 20:25:54 PT Dankhank In the link you posted it said that it helps with muscle spasms with MD. I don't know if they have muscle spasms. They never complain. I will ask them when I see them again. Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on June 17, 2007 at 20:21:39 PT Dankhank I don't know what kind of Muscular Dystrophy they have. There are 8 children and their father developed Muscular Dystrophy in his 40s. He died a few years ago from MD. They checked all 8 of the children and they have a 50 - 50 chance of developing it too. 3 of the 8 are in different stages of the disease. My one nephew is now using a scooter because even getting up out of a chair is becoming impossible. It's very sad. If I knew it would help I would recommend cannabis even though it isn't legal but I would have to in good conscience. I don't want to do anything to hurt them though. It's hard. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Dankhank on June 17, 2007 at 19:34:14 PT one view ...MD http://les-pcusa.org/Business/Business.aspx?iid=134 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Dankhank on June 17, 2007 at 19:07:07 PT MD help ... The verdict is out, only due to the dearth of long studies, but the whole idea of Cannabis neuroprotection suggests that Cannabis cna indeed offer hope of delaying the onset of some neurological conditions. I have a number of preliminary reports of THC and some types of MD.I think the long-supressed 1976 Virginia study cited ALS in addition to Cancer inhibition.what types of MD do they have, may I inquire ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on June 17, 2007 at 17:34:12 PT Storm Crow That is a very good link. I really wish I knew if cannabis can help a person with Muscular Dystrophy but I didn't see anything on the link. I have two nephews and one niece with MD and I don't know if it would help them retain muscle strength. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Hope on June 17, 2007 at 16:50:12 PT Storm Crow Thank you! Wonderful link. Bookmarked! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on June 17, 2007 at 16:29:34 PT link ... excellent, the link is now in the introduction of the CRL. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by dongenero on June 17, 2007 at 10:44:35 PT Storm Crow Great cannabis studies link!!! Thank you for posting that! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Storm Crow on June 17, 2007 at 08:20:55 PT April 20, 2006....FDA BS... "Furthermore, there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful. A past evaluation by several Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), concluded that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use. There are alternative FDA-approved medications in existence for treatment of many of the proposed uses of smoked marijuana."http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01362.htmlYeah, sure.... No sound scientific studies??? Read THIS!!!http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/study.php [ Post Comment ] Post Comment